Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recently clarified that they will not give up the Asia Cup 2020 due to the Indian cash-rich franchise league IPL 2020.
The novel COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic has already destroyed the recent cricket system. Due to this pandemic, the recognised cricket matches have been postponed continuously since last March. Apart from international cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) failed to organise the IPL 2020 on time, the PCB was forced to postpone the knockout stages of the PSL 2020 etc.
Though international cricket is on the way to resume, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 is still widely doubtful due to the ongoing pandemic. Australia will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 from 18th October to 15th November 2020, where 15 other teams will also participate along with the home team. But majorly due to the logistical issues in this crisis, the upcoming T20 World Cup can be postponed. Even the PCB has also admitted that this tournament is very much doubtful to be organised according to the initial schedule.
If the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 gets postponed, the BCCI can utilise this window for the IPL 2020. If the BCCI manages to organise the IPL 2020 between September and November, it can affect the Asia Cup 2020 too.
The 15th Asia Cup has been scheduled to be organised in September 2020 in the T20I format. While the PCB has the hosting rights of this tournament, the venues and dates haven’t been finalised yet, majorly due to the ongoing pandemic. If the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 gets postponed, it was expecting that it could affect the Asia Cup 2020 schedule, especially when the BCCI is eager to organise the IPL 2020 in this period.
We will not accept that the Asia Cup is moved to accommodate the IPL: PCB source
However, a PCB source has clarified that they can’t let go of the Asia Cup 2020 due to the IPL 2020. According to that source, the Asia Cup 2020 can be postponed only due to health safety issues.
According to the InsideSport, the PCB source claimed, “How PCB can let go of Asia Cup T20 window for the sake of a domestic league. Asia Cup T20 will be organized as scheduled and as decided between the members over the last teleconference. It is important and critical for the finances of PCB and also for the growth of ACC member boards.”
“Our stance is absolutely clear, the Asia Cup is set for September and the only reason it should not take place is continued health safety issues. We will not accept that the Asia Cup is moved to accommodate the IPL.”
According to the recent media reports, Sri Lanka is likely to organise the Asia Cup 2020 as the PCB has reportedly agreed on the wish of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to host the forthcoming ACC tournament.