Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani has made it clear that the PCB will not agree on cancelling the Asia Cup 2020, slated to be held in UAE in September, to accommodate the 13th edition of Indian Premier League, which is set to be postponed indefinitely as the country extended the lockdown till May 3 to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
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BCCI has not formalized a new window yet for the cash-rich event, which was originally scheduled to be played from March 29 to May 24. But there are reports claiming that the Indian board might persuade Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to postpone the multi-nation tournament to a later date in a bid to create a window for IPL 2020.
“I have read and heard about these speculations but right now just remember that having or not having the Asia Cup is not a decision between Pakistan and India it involves other countries as well,” Mani said in a podcast released by the PCB on Tuesday (April 14).
“...it is important to have the Asia Cup if cricket activities resume by then because development of Asian cricket depends on funding from the tournament. It is important for many countries who are members of the Asian Cricket Council,” he added.
However, the PCB chief also conceded that staging the Asia Cup this year is a big challenge because right now “we don’t know if it can be held or not.”
“But if the conditions change and we can have the Asia Cup, it must be held as earnings from it are distributed as development funds to member countries for next two years,” he said.
Given that Australia has sealed its borders for the next six months because of COVID-19 outbreak, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup might also get postponed. As of now, the showpiece event is scheduled to be played from October 18 to November 15.
Talking about the possible rescheduling of T20 World Cup, Mani said: “The financial impact will be felt by many countries if the ICC can’t distribute their shares from the tournament. Many countries including Pakistan will feel the pinch.”
He also confirmed that Pakistan was to receive around USD 7 to 8 million from ICC in June.
“Pakistan is fortunate it has good financial controls in place and in short term, it will be better off than most countries if the lockdowns continue because of the coronavirus pandemic. We are to get 7 to 8 Million dollars from the ICC in June but we know they might not come so we have planned accordingly.”
Asked whether Pakistan’s upcoming tours to Holland, Ireland and England between late June and August will take place, Mani said the PCB was prepared for disruptions. But he ruled out resumption of international cricket in empty stadiums.
“Empty stadiums also offer their big challenges as teams have to travel by air and stay in hotels so the risks start there. The logistical arrangements have to be manageable. We wouldn’t mind if two series are held at the same time like one team playing Tests and another white-ball cricket. In these difficult times we need to support each other,” he remarked.
(With PTI inputs)
