This year's edition of the Asia Cup might not see the light of the day because of the growing effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on international cricket calendar, indicated a BCCI official in an IANS report. Immediate matches have been globally suspended but even the foreseeable fixtures are not out of danger amid the deadly outbreak.
The tournament is scheduled to be held in September in the T20 format so as to provide ideal preparation towards the T20 World Cup in Australia, kickstarting the following month. However, that might not be possible in the given circumstances.
"Though it doesn't seem right to be talking about cricket schedules as of now, we can safely assume that Asia Cup isn't a possibility," a BCCI official told IANS. "The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 is unknown as of now. The job losses across sectors and the impact on the economy is also unknown."
"The sports organisation are also hit deeply and there will be some tough measures once some semblance of normalcy returns. There are liabilities and difficulties that the Board faces and it will be a new kind of a challenge to deal with them."
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the official host of the event, confirmed that there isn't any update on the tournament to be made public.
"We cannot throw light on when the next Asian Cricket Council meeting will take place and on decisions around the Asia Cup and its fate," a PCB official told IANS.
BCCI itself is facing potential cancellation of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The annual event was suspended to until at least April 15 by the board in hope that the situation would improve with time.
But, with the situation only regressing in the last few weeks and that resulting in a 21-day lockdown which the Indian government was forced to impose, the IPL 2020 might not happen at all.
India's mid-year tours to Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe are also under threat.
(Inputs from IANS)
