While the novel COVID-19 or coronavirus is dominating the world, it can force to organise the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 at empty stadiums. However, the former Australian World Cup-winning captain Allan Border can’t imagine seeing the World Cup at empty stadiums.
Coronavirus has taken away the regular life of the world. Many countries are struggling to fight the novel virus as the coronavirus cases are increasing along with the death reports. To combat, the deadly virus, many countries are going through the long lockdown period to break the chain of this virus.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, many sports events, including cricket events, have been already postponed. Moreover, it is the year of the T20 World Cup. While Australia hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 successfully in front of the record-breaking jam-packed crowd in last February-March, the country also has the schedule to organise the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 between 18th October and 15th November 2020.
But while Australia and the worldwide situations have already changed due to the coronavirus, it is unlikely possible to organise the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 in the crowded stadiums. Even if the tournament can be hosted in time, there is a high chance to run this entire tournament at empty stadiums.
I just can’t see it happening: Allan Border commented on the possibility of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 at empty stadiums
However, Allan Border doesn’t believe that it is the right option to organise a global event at empty stadiums. According to him, if the ICC decides to host the upcoming T20 World Cup at empty stadiums, Border feels that it will be better to postpone the tournament.
Border told Fox Sports News, “I just can’t imagine playing at empty stadiums … it defies belief.
“Having teams, support staff and everyone else associated with the game wandering around the country, playing games of cricket, but you can’t let people into the grounds. I just can’t see it happening.
“It’s either you play it and everyone just gets on with the job and we’re past this pandemic. Or it just has to be cancelled and you try to fit it in somewhere else.”
Recently, the Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has also given a similar opinion about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020. According to him, the IPL can run without any crowds, but the same option can’t work for the World Cup.