With IPL 200 been indefinitely postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, speculations are rife that the cash-rich league could be taking place in the latter half of the year. Asia Cup and ICC T20 World Cup are scheduled in the September-November window and with clouds of uncertainty hovering over both the tournaments, IPL could be held during that period should either or both the events get canceled. However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Ehsan Mani has shut down such talks saying they won’t agree to sacrifice Asia Cup for IPL.
Mani explained, “I have read and heard about these speculations but right now just remember that having or not having the Asia Cup is not a decision between Pakistan and India it involves other countries as well. It is important to have the Asia Cup if cricket activities resume by then because the development of Asian cricket depends on funding from the tournament.”
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Asia Cup 2020 was to be held in Pakistan before security objections raised by the BCCI led to the tournament being shifted to Dubai and Abu Dhabi something which Mani said is mere speculation.
While acknowledging the uncertainty over the fate of The Asia Cup 2020, Mani reiterated “…if the conditions change and we can have the Asia Cup, it must be held as earnings from it are distributed as development funds to member countries for next two years.”
Cricket events have come to a halt as part of global measures taken to contain the spread of the deadly virus. Mani felt should big tournaments of the likes of T20 WC get scrapped, several cricket boards will suffer financial loses.
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Mani also said that Pakistan has shown interest in hosting several ICC tournaments to be held between 2023 and 2031. The PCB chief explained, “Unfortunately the last time the cycle of ICC events were bid for the big three, India, Australia and England distributed all the main events among themselves. This time I can say there are more countries interested in hosting the events.”
