FTP Should Be Restructured To Make Way For IPL: Mohammad Azharuddin

Former Team India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin stated that all the cricket boards should join hands to restructure their Future Tours and Programmes (FTP) as the COVID-19 pandemic has ensured that the current schedule is irredeemable.

Azharuddin, who is the president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), feels that tweaking of the Futures Tours and Programmes (FTP) is also necessary to accommodate the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is important for both domestic and foreign players.

IPL 2020 was scheduled to start from March 29, but due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, BCCI postponed it until April 15. BCCI is now eyeing the October-November window for the IPL. But the move can be possible only if the world cricket governing body ICC decides to postpone the 2020 T20 World Cup that is to be held later in the year, according to some sources in the board.

On Friday, latest reports suggested that the BCCI is probing into the July window to conduct the IPL and it could take place behind closed doors.

Mohammad Azharuddin Demands A Change In The FTP

“I am sure they can have a restructured FTP for two years because of so much of uncertainty in prevailing circumstances. I mean you can always prepare for good times but you can’t prepare for bad times,” the 57-year-old former skipper told PTI during an interaction.

“Once things settle down, we can have a dialogue with other member nations,” he added.

“I think if they have to slot IPL, the whole itinerary needs to be changed. That’s one option or else stick to the current itinerary with whatever gone being gone. But that means huge losses for all the stakeholders and is not practical,” said Azharuddin, whose own Association hosts seven home games of Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“Therefore, I am expecting a complete overhaul of the FTP, if we have to fit in the IPL. I feel all the boards will agree as everybody is getting affected. But obviously the BCCI gets affected more,” he added.

No One Will Say No To IPL: Mohammad Azharuddin

IPL has so much prominence because foreign players like Jos Buttler and Pat Cummins have expressed their willingness to participate in the tournament at some point of the year.

“No one will say no to IPL. Not even the foreign players. So many people thrive on IPL,” he set the record straight.

“For a lot of our domestic guys, who are not India regulars, let’s accept they look forward to the IPL,” Azhar concluded.

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