With the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 considering to be postponed in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic, Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said that the decision regarding the postponement of the showpiece event must not take in haste as it is the best product to highlight cricket once game resumes.
All the sporting activities have been suspended due to the global COVID-19 crisis which is not set to make the T20 World Cup 2020 its next big victim with the International Cricket Council (ICC) reportedly considering postponing the tournament to next year.
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Considering the current situation, there are high chances of the showpiece event being canceled this year, but the ICC is yet to take the final call regarding the fate of the T20 World Cup 2020 and Pakistan chief selector urged the authorities to wait for a month or more before taking any decision.
In the latest interview with a Youtube channel, Cricket Baaz, Misbah said: “The logistics of hosting 16 teams is not easy but the authorities should give it time and wait for a month or more before taking any decision. Everyone wants to see the T20 World Cup. It would be the best product to highlight cricket once activities resume internationally.”
Misbah also said that their upcoming England tour for three Tests and three T20Is will not be easy at all given the current circumstances that are are not ideal for cricket presently.
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The coach said, “But there is a feeling of depression right now all over the world because of this Covid-19 problem and with sports suspended there is no entertainment. People want to move on so I think we must give it a try. The idea is to first have one to one training then increase the number of players to groups. We need to get together and train to be prepared for a comeback to cricket.”
He continued, “It is not going to be easy also getting used to new rules like not applying saliva sweat to shine the ball. I am hoping a three-week camp in Pakistan and then more practice in quarantine in England should get the players prepared.”
Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain also admitted that the players will face difficulties adjusting to the new laws and bio-security environment due to the COVID-19 threat.
He added, “We will be taking a group of 25 to 27 players to England because we can't ask for replacements and we all have to be together from start to end so that no one catches the virus.”
Misbah has also confirmed that Sarfaraz Ahmed “is very much in Pakistan’s plans” and he will make the England tour as the second wicketkeeper in the squad.
He further explained, “Yes, it makes sense to take two keepers on this tour because where will we find a replacement in those conditions. Sarfaraz is obviously our choice. I felt that as time progressed Sarfaraz was feeling more pressure more so because of his own form which was suffering. It was a decision to give him a break so that he could rest and make a strong comeback. I am happy to see that he has worked very hard on his fitness and game. He is very much in our plans.”
Misbah has also made it clear that Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Aamir's exclusion from central contracts had nothing to do with their decision to quit Test cricket and the two are part of their planning for the 2023 World Cup.
He added, “They were not given contracts because the board has decided to reduce the number of players given contracts to make it more competitive and we felt that we needed to give some incentive to the younger players.”
The coach signed off by saying, “The two are very much in our plans until the 2023 World Cup. They are still playing white-ball cricket and don't forget they are two T20 World events before 2023. They figure in our plans and will play when required.”
(With PTI Inputs)
