PCB Deal Huge Blow To BCCI Over Hosting IPL In Asia Cup's Slot

While the BCCI must be looking at different slots to host this year’s IPL, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made it clear that it won’t make things easier for its Indian counterpart. The thirteenth edition of IPL was set to get underway on March 29 in Mumbai.

But in the wake of the outbreak, the BCCI suspended the league at least till mid-April. And earlier this month, the Indian cricket board announced that the league has been suspended indefinitely after the government extended the country-wide lockdown.

There is absolutely no doubt that the league won’t take place this summer because of the prevailing conditions. The BCCI is reportedly looking to host the IPL in the second half of the year. Recent media reports suggested that the IPL could be held during the time this year’s Asia Cup is scheduled to take place.

However, PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said that Pakistan are not willing to tinker with the schedule of the Asia Cup in order to make way for the IPL. Wasim  Khan said that the PCB is keeping its fingers crossed to host the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He also stated that changing the schedule of the Asia Cup due to one member nation won’t be fair for the other teams.

“Our stance is absolutely clear; the Asia Cup is set for September and the only reason it should not take place is continued health safety issues. We will not accept that the Asia Cup is moved to accommodate the IPL,” Khan was quoted as saying on GTV News Channel.

“I have heard that there is talk to move the Asia Cup to November-December but for us that is not possible. If you move the Asia Cup you are making way for one member nation and that is not right and it will not have our support,” he added.

Wasim Khan further mentioned that during the ICC chief executives’ meeting on Thursday, the BCCI representative didn’t raise the issue of the IPL window. He also spoke on what was discussed about this year’s T20 World Cup in the meeting. Due to the pandemic, there are doubts over the marquee tournament too.

“The T20 World Cup might be played behind closed doors because if we don’t play T20 World Cup each board potentially stands to lose between 15 and 20 million dollars,” said Wasim Khan.

Also Read: West Indies Tour Of England Postponed Due To COVID-19 Outbreak

Also Read: Michael Vaughan Feels Kevin Pietersen Was Used As A ‘Scapegoat’ For Loss Against India