Will not accept moving Asia Cup to accommodate IPL: PCB

Monitoring Desk

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Wasim Khan has dismissed suggestions that the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be given preference over the Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in September later this year.

While speaking to a local news channel, Wasim made it clear that Covid-19 pandemic is the only hurdle that could delay the Asia cup.

“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,” said Wasim.

“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.

This year’s IPL was officially postponed indefinitely until further notice because of the Covid-19 pandemic but the Indian cricket board believes it can find a “safe” window later for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament.

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has played down speculation that this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia could be pushed back to 2021 but admitted it was “exploring all options”.

Australia is due to stage the global tournament from October 18 until November 15 but the coronavirus pandemic has already created havoc for international sport and more events could suffer. Wasim, after attending the ICC Chief Executives virtual meeting on Thursday, added that ICC is trying to stick to its schedule but plans could change.

“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,” he said.