As the T20 World Cup 2020 is lined up later this year in Australia, speculations are increasing that ICC might postpone the event to next year because of the outbreak of the coronavirus. The postponement of mega-event would allow BCCI to host the Indian Premier League(IPL) instead of the mega event in the October-November window.
Although ICC has not given any official statement regarding the T20 World Cup, Pakistan Cricket Board are of the view that ICC is hastily taking the decisions. According to a PCB official, ICC should wait and watch for at least two months and then should take action. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the ICC members would have a meeting where they would take particular calls on resuming cricket activities and also on the tournament.
“We are in May and there is still time. The ICC members should wait and see where this Coronavirus pandemic goes. A decision on staging the event can be taken even after say two months. There is no cricket being played right now but in two months’ time we will know what is the position because West Indies and Pakistan are to play in England if things go according to plan,” the official was quoted as saying by News18.
PCB had also shown disagreement on giving preference to IPL over an ICC tournament. The source added that IPL should not be the priority because it is a domestic event.
“The IPL is a domestic event of the BCCI and cannot be given preference over ICC events or bilateral agreements. Pakistan will not support any such move,” the source said.
The IPL 2020 was initially scheduled to start from 29th March, but because of the erratic situation, the lucrative league has been postponed. As per reports, BCCI would have to incur a loss of INR 4000 crore if IPL is not hosted this year.