ICC T20 World Cup 2021

15 Jun 2021

International Cricket Council interim CEO Geoff Allardice on Monday said the travel restrictions in place due to Covid-19 pandemic has added an extra layer of complexity as they await for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCi) to take a final all on hosting the T20 World Cup.

India have the hosting rights for T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in October-November this year. The BCCI after its SGM had sought time till June 28 to decide the T20 World Cup in India, considering the Covid-19 situation in the country. UAE and Oman are top contenders for back-up options at the moment.

Notably, IPL 2021 was suspended in May after Covid-19 cases emerged in bio-bubbles of franchises in Ahmedabad and Delhi. The BCCI announced that the remainder of the tournament will be played in the UAE in September-October.

"We need to deliver the event in full in the window that is allowed for the event. From planning point of view, we need certainty, one of the things that one is finding is an extra layer of complexity in arranging global events in times of restrictions related to COVID-19," Allardice said, as quoted by the PTI.

"There are restrictions related to travel and requirements to enter other countries, the arrangements around hotels etc.," he said, citing their concerns.

"What we are looking towards is certainty about the decisions where the events can be staged, we can start developing the match schedule and getting all the plans in place, board is going to take a call at the end of the month, and, at this stage, we are in discussions daily with BCCI and where we can try and finalise the match schedule," Allardice said.

"There are budgets and everything else. I think not much to add at this stage other than to say that a decision will be made at the end of the month," Allardice was non-committal.

All members national to be taken into confidence: Allardice Allardice assured that even if the tournament is held in India, it will only happen once all the member nations are taken into confidence.

"The decisions of ICC are all made by the board and it consists of representatives of all the member countries.

"In terms of them taking a decision where the matches will be staged, they (ICC BOARD) are always reflecting the views of their member boards and by extension their players.

"It is also in terms of the way the decisions are made and always their is a country representation in that decision."