Three options under consideration ahead of T20 World Cup

An official of the International Cricket Council (ICC), while talking to PTI on Friday, claimed that three options are likely to be discussed regarding the upcoming T20 World Cup in the next board meeting which is scheduled for May 28. The mega event is currently scheduled to be played in Australia between October 18 and November 15.

The Covid-19 outbreak has brought the entire world to a standstill as countries have enforced lockdowns in order to contain the contagious virus. All sporting activities are currently on hold while the schedules for major events are uncertain.

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The member, on the conditions of anonymity, disclosed that the ICC’s Events Committee headed by Chris Tetley will present multiple options which might include pushing the mega event to 2022.

"We are expecting three options from the ICC Events Committee. First option is having World T20 as per schedule with 14-day quarantine with crowd being allowed. The back-up for this option could be tournament in-front of empty stadium. The third option could be shifting the tournament to 2022," a board member privy to development said.

The member further claimed that Cricket Australia (CA) will not be happy is the T20 World Cup is shifted to 2022.

"CA wouldn't be too unhappy if the World T20 is shifted to 2022. At the end of the day, ICC is made up of members. If members decide that bilateral series are more important, you can't discount that,” the member said. "Also ICC might find its cash flow being hampered but it's a short-term problem. If the tournament happens in 2022, the parent body doesn't lose anything because it's deferment not postponement.”