Amidst COVID threat, ICC affirms Plan B in place for T20 World Cup; working with BCCI

With growing concern over COVID-19 surge in India, International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday said that it is closely working with BCCI to ensure safe conduct of T20 World Cup slated to be held in October this year. Maintaining that marquee event will proceed as planned in India, ICC stated that plan B has been put in place in case things go down south. T20 World Cup, originally scheduled to be held in 2020, had to be postponed due to Coronavirus outbreak which subsequently led to a rejig in Future Tours Programme (FTP) and schedule of ICC events. 

"We are certainly proceeding with event as planned. Plan B we have, but we haven't activated those plans yet. We are working with BCCI, we do have backup plans that can be activated if time comes," said ICC interim CEO Geoff Allardice, as per PTI. 

Ackwledging COVID-19 threat looming over sport after resumption, ICC interim CEO also said that y have been talking to or sports bodies to kw about ir methods. Allardice affirmed that upcoming World Test Championship will also proceed without any furr changes. venue for grand event had been changed from Lord's to Southampton amid virus concerns. Meanwhile, as per reports, UAE could be a backup option for T20 World Cup after is successfully hosted IPL last year. 

Allardice comments come amidst surge in COVID-19 cases which has concerned IPL 2021 as well. Even before commencement of tournament, several members of franchises' support staff and players have contracted virus, reby raising an iota of doubt over proceedings. However, IPL is slated to take place as per schedule behind closed doors, BCCI has confirmed. 

Allardice ackwledged challenges countries are facing in order to host cricket matches and tournaments in terms of maintaining communication with ir respective governments. " vaccination role in different countries might change dynamics... y have done an amazing job in last 10 months in hosting matches."

COVID threat over IPL 2021

Coronavirus has rocked marquee T20 league slated to get underway from April 9 onwards. With COVID-19 cases witnessing an unprecedented surge, concerns have been raised over capability of venues like Mumbai to host tournament without any hiccups. So far, three players have already pulled out of tournament citing personal reasons. Apart from that several players including Nitish Rana, Devdutt Padikkal and Axar Patel have also contracted infection just days before ir first game. As per reports, BCCI is closely monitoring situation in Mumbai and has already placed Hyderabad on stand-by to host Wankhede's fixtures.