Cricket boards across the world shall come together to discuss the potential rejigging of the existing Future Tours Programme (FTP) when the world finally overcomes the COVID-19 pandemic, reckons former India captain-turned-administrator, Mohammed Azharuddin.
With all immediate international and domestic fixtures under suspension because of the deadly outbreak, administrators worldwide are foreseeing major losses if the planned lucrative schedule doesn't go ahead.
"I am sure they can have a restructured FTP for two years because of so much uncertainty in prevailing circumstances," Azharuddin, the current president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), told PTI.
"I mean you can always prepare for good times but you can't prepare for bad times."
"Once things settle down, we can have a dialogue with other member nations," he added.
Considering the IPL has a massive economical influence on not just Indian but world cricket, the league's 13th edition will definitely be part of those discussions to ensure such a profitable event goes unaffected.
"I think if they have to slot IPL, the whole itinerary needs to be changed. That's one option or else stick to the current itinerary with whatever gone being gone," said Azharuddin, whose own association was due to host Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for seven IPL games. "But that means huge losses for all the stakeholders and is not practical."
"Therefore, I am expecting a complete overhaul of the FTP, if we have to fit in the IPL. I feel all the boards will agree as everybody is getting affected. But obviously, the BCCI gets affected more."
From the players' perspective, Azhar says "no one will say no to IPL. Not even the foreign players. So many people thrive on IPL."
"For a lot of our domestic guys, who are not India regulars, let's accept they look forward to the IPL."
Reportedly, BCCI office-bearers are looking at the developments at the ICC with keen interest, hoping that the governing body will postpone the scheduled T20 World Cup in Australia, where there is a six-month lockdown in place, so that the IPL can possibly be played during the October-November window.
Azharuddin, however, doesn't think that will happen.
"I don't think World T20's slot will be gone. It's third week of October and if things are okay by then, I would believe World T20 will happen."
"This is purely my personal opinion as you can't tinker with a World Cup. But obviously, IPL will get accommodated in somewhere," he added.
(Inputs from PTI)
