Coronavirus: ICC To Decide Fate Of T20 World Cup On March 29

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to decide the fate of the 2020 T20 World Cup on March 29 amid the growing novel coronavirus concerns. With a lot of major tournaments all around the world being postponed as a precautionary measure, the T20 World Cup might also see similar course of action taken against it.

However, it is still not known, who will attend the meeting as India representative. BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s name features in the list of ICC Chief Executive Committee panel but it is still not sure if he will be the face from India. It is also likely that board president Sourav Ganguly will attend the meeting.

ICC to hold the meeting via tele-conference

The ICC T20 World Cup is originally slated to get underway from October, 2020 in Australia. However, after the country has started lockdown due to the growing coronavirus concerns, the marquee tournament may well be differed from its original date. The lockdown in Australia might extend to at least six months putting the tournament in jeopardy. Though it might take time to take a final stand.

According to a report in The New Indian Express, “The ICC is likely to have at least preliminary discussions on the fate of the World Cup, when its 18-member Board of Directors including heads of the 12 Test-playing nations hold a tele-conference on March 29. It was supposed to be a full-fledged meeting over three days in Dubai, before the coronavirus situation forced a change in plans”.

Major sports events called-off/re-scheduled

The novel coronavirus has forced major sporting events to be called off or re-scheduled. India’s last series against South Africa at home will be re-scheduled after the first match was washed out. The Pakistan Super League (PSL) was called off while the IPL 2020 was differed to April 15.

Latest in the list, the Olympics 2020 will be postponed, veteran IOC member Dick Pound told USA today.