ICC Board members may discuss shifting T20 World Cup to 2022

option of shifting upcoming T20 World Cup to 2022 is expected to be put on table when ICC Board meets on May 28, a member of world governing body's influential Board told PTI on Friday.  A cloud of uncertainty hangs over T20 World Cup in wake of coronavirus pandemic and shifting it may find favours with Cricket Australia, feels Board member. ICC flagship event is scheduled in Australia from October 18 to vember 15. 

T20 World Cup to be shifted to 2022?

ICC Board Meeting will be preceded by Cricket Committee meeting to discuss playing conditions including applying sweat and saliva on ball. It is expected that ICC's Events Committee headed by Chris Tetley will present multiple options.

"We are expecting three options from ICC Events Committee. First option is having World T20 as per schedule with 14-day quarantine with crowd being allowed. back-up for this option could be tournament in-front of empty stadium. third option could be shifting tournament to 2022," a Board member privy to development told PTI on conditions of anymity.

Board meeting will also discuss two-month extension for Chairman Shashank Mahar but primarily focus will be on deciding fate of T20 World Cup. Of late, Cricket Australia and ir top players including present and former, have been aggressively campaigning for Test Series against India to go as scheduled in vember-December. series is crucial to Cricket Australia's financial health.

"CA wouldn't be too unhappy if World T20 is shifted to 2022. At end of day, ICC is made up of members. If members decide that bilateral series are more important, you can't discount that. 

"Also ICC might find its cash flow being hampered but it's a short-term problem. If tournament happens in 2022, parent body doesn't lose anything because it's deferment t postponement," board member said.

deferment will also mean that cash-rich Indian Premier League, which is a parallel industry in itself, will get much-needed window if COVID-19 pandemic is under control by n. Indian team can travel to Australia after IPL. Board member also cited a few problems which may lead to deferment of T20 World Cup. " costs of quarantine arrangements for 16 teams with support staff plus TV crew will be huge. Add to that if in some of countries, rmalcy doesn't return, wher travelling will be safe by n," he added. "So it can't be postponed by a few months, say February-March, 2021. It's t a great idea as we have Women's ODI World Cup and two ICC events should t clash. Women's World Cup is a much safer bet, re will only be eight teams."

Im credits: Twitter