"No discussion about moving the event," CPL confirms amid growing COVID-19 concerns

West Indies suspended all forms of the game in the country for 30 days.

By Rashmi Nanda - 23 Mar, 2020

The rapid growth of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic around the world has impacted the staging of almost every sporting event while the deadly outbreak has also forced the numerous sporting events to be moved or postponed indefinitely.

With the Coronavirus pandemic continuously wreaking havoc on the world, the worldwide death toll has climbed to 14,759 while a total of 341,365 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed across the world so far.

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Well, the critical situation has forced a lockdown internationally as well as forced the Indian Cricket Board to postpone the 13th edition of the IPL 2020 till April 13. However, there is hardly any chance of organizing this tournament, as the COVID-19 is spreading very fast in India with the Coronavirus cases jumping to 418 on Monday (March 23) in the country.

Because of this deadly virus, many franchise leagues including Pakistan Super League and Dhaka Premier League have been called off beside the number of international series.

However, the organizers of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) are hoping to stage the upcoming edition of the CPL 2020 as per their planned schedule amid the deadly outbreak.

Though, the 8th edition of the CPL 2020 is four months away and hopefully, the entire world would be COVID-19 free that time as the organizers are keen on going ahead with its planned schedule to take place from August 19 to September 26 in West Indies.

The CPL said in a statement: “CPL has been in constant communication with our medical advisors in recent weeks, as well as speaking with Cricket West Indies about the current situation with regard to cricket around the world, and at present, there has been no discussion about moving the event.”

The statement further reads: “CPL believes it is too early to make such a decision, but this is an evolving situation and we are carefully watching how events unfold in the Caribbean and around the world. At present the CPL team is planning for the tournament to take place as scheduled while also looking at alternative plans should they be needed.”

Noteworthy, the global COVID-19 pandemic has so far claimed more than 14000 lives while infecting over three lakh people across the world. 

Expressing condolences to all the people who have been battling this crisis, the CPL signed off by saying: “Our thoughts at this time are with the many CPL fans, players and staff from around the world who have been impacted by this crisis and we hope that they and their families stay safe and healthy.”

(With PTI Inputs)

By Rashmi Nanda - 23 Mar, 2020

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