The novel COVID-19 or coronavirus has forced the cricket world to postpone most of the present planning for an indefinite period. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is still focusing to organise the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 on time but also considering to see the other factors and be prepared in case of the postponement.
Australia will host the seventh edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup from 18th October to 15th November 2020. But the coronavirus pandemic has opened up the doubtful future for this tournament where 16 teams will participate.
Most likely, they will move towards hosting the T20 World Cup in Feb-March
During the recent ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) meeting, three possibilities have been discussed as the fate of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020. While they wish to stick to the original time, they can also shift the tournament in the February-March 2021 or the tournament can be organised later in 2022.
A representative, who was present in that meeting, told India Today, “Even though it’s a bit early but three options have been shortlisted. The first is to stick to the original Oct-Nov schedule and the second is to the tournament in Feb-March next year. The third and last option that was zeroed in on is to stage the tournament in 2022.
“Most likely, they (ICC and member Boards) will move towards hosting the T20 World Cup in Feb-March.”
According to the present schedule, New Zealand will host the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 from 6th February to 7th March 2021. But if the seventh edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has been shifted for the early next year, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 is likely to be shifted too.
Meanwhile, India will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in October-November 2021 and the ICC will keep in mind this tournament in the case of shifting the timeline of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The BCCI has maintained the importance of World Test Championship
On the other hand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shown their importance towards the ICC World Test Championship as they support for the postponement of the final of this tournament rather than sharing the points.
The source added, “As for the World Test Championship, the BCCI has maintained the importance of World Test Championship and it is unlikely that the points will be shared. The Test schedules will be altered with and in all likelihood, the final, which was scheduled in June 2021, will be moved to 2022.”