ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stepped in with an offer tothe ICC of hosting the top ODI cricket event. The ICC had earlier statedthat they are concerned about the absence of tax exemption from the Indiangovernment for ICC events.

“The matter came up when the ICC board expressed their concern around theabsence of tax exemption from the Indian Government for ICC events held inIndia, despite ongoing efforts from both the ICC and BCCI to secure theexemption which is a standard practice for major sporting events around theworld,” the ICC statement had said after a meeting last week.

While the issue was discussed during the ICC meeting, PCB had offered ICCto host the tournament as ICC was considering an alternative venue in thesame time zone.

“In the ICC meeting last week, the PCB offered the ICC to host Champions’Trophy 2021,” confirmed a well-placed source.

The source further confirmed that PCB Chairman Najam Sethi had also offeredthe international cricketing body to get tax exemption from the governmentof Pakistan for the event.

While BCCI was unable to commit anything to ICC on tax exemption, the PCBoffer to ICC was considered seriously.

However, a decision is not likely to be taken before 2019’s board meeting.

With Pakistan inching towards the complete revival of international cricketin the country and foreign security experts starting to show faith inPakistan’s security arrangements, it is very much likely that the eventwhich is still three years away – will be shifted from India to Pakistan.

There is also a possibility that Pakistan may host the event jointly withUAE with Pakistan’s matches being played in Pakistan and the other gamesbeing played in the United Arab Emirates.