BCB Postpones World XI-Asia XI Series Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
Updated - 11 Mar 2020, 07:35 PM
The much-awaited two-match T20I series between Asia XI and World XI teams has been postponed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak all across the world. Bangladesh were set to host the T20Is to celebrate the 100th birthday of their Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The games were scheduled to be played in Dhaka on March 21 and 22 as a part of the celebrations.
But the deadly coronavirus break has reportedly spoiled BCB’s plans. Sporting events across the globe have been hampered by the outbreak and now cricket fixtures are also feeling the heat. And in a precautionary measure, the BCB has postponed the series until further notice.
“We have postponed those two matches for the time being,” BCB president Nazmul Hasan said on Wednesday (March 11).
“We are having problem hosting the matches on 21 and 22 and so we have deferred it. There is no guarantee that everyone can come and play here so we have decided that both the concert and the two matches are deferred. Lot of restrictions are coming in from different quarters. We will host it after few months when the time is appropriate,” he added.
The BCB had already announced to separate squads for Asia XI and World XI after confirming participation from some leading cricketers. The Indian players who were given the nod to participate in the series were KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Shami.
Asia XI squad:
KL Rahul (one game), Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Liton Das, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Thisara Perera, Rashid Khan, Mustafizur Rahman, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lasith Malinga, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Virat Kohli (to be confirmed).
World XI squad:
Alex Hales, Chris Gayle, Faf du Plessis (captain), Nicholas Pooran, Ross Taylor, Jonny Bairstow, Kieron Pollard, Adil Rashid, Sheldon Cottrell, Lungi Ngidi, Andrew Tye, Mitchell McClenaghan.
