ICC and Cricket Australia will Discuss the Fate of T20 World Cup in a Teleconference on May 8

International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket Australia (CA) will be organizing a teleconference on Friday (May 8) to discuss the future of the T20 World Cup 2020. The two authorities will majorly focus on how to carry forward the tournament amidst the coronavirus pandemic. 

The COVID-19 outbreak has put a halt on all the sporting events across the globe. Cricket fraternity is also facing the heat of the deadly virus as there is not even a single game of cricket happening anywhere in the world. All the major tournaments like IPL 2020 have been suspended for an indefinite period. 

The T20 World Cup can also bear the brunt of the pandemic. The tournament was scheduled to start in Australia in October-November. However, the Australian government has imposed a six-month travel ban in the country to prevent the spread of coronavirus. As a result, the teams can’t fly to Australia before October.

We will take the right decision at the right time for T20 World Cup: Cricket Australia

ICC had hosted a Chief Executive’s Committee meeting on April 23. After that the Chief Executive of CA, Kevin Roberts had informed the media about the latest developments in the plan. He had said, “We are also jointly exploring all other options in relation to staging the event and will take the right decisions at the right time,” 

He further quoted that Cricket Australia is working closely with the ICC and Australian government to have a “comprehensive understanding of what exactly it will take” to play the tournament as scheduled. 

Talking about the conference on May 8, a source informed no major decision will be taken in the meeting. The source told TOI, “Expect a holding statement. Nothing more, for now. The ICC Board meetings are scheduled soon. There’s a likelihood of a new chairman coming on board. Things may move further only once that happens,” 

The traveling ban in Australia will end in September. The tournament is due in Australia from October 18 to November 15. As a result, if the tournament happens then it would be extremely difficult for the organizers to manage everything in such a short period of time. 

Another source told TOI, “That’ll be a gargantuan task. And what’s the guarantee that COVID is going to so thoroughly relent by then that crowds will be allowed. So, chances are, playing the tournament to empty stands.”

“For something like that, to fly in 16 teams from across the world, flying in other working hands including match-officials, arranging hospitality, booking domestic travel for the scheduled month – all of it is going to be a logistical nightmare.”, he added.