KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is all set to postpone the World T20 this month due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. However, some controversy is likely to be created over who will be staging the next editions of the ICC World T20 — in 2021 & 2022 — as the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) and Cricket Australia both are keen to stage the World T20 next year and are quite likely to be come face to face in the next ICC board meeting to debate over the issue.

According to reliable sources, back to back major ICC meetings will be held this month to decide the new chairman and also to make a final decision on the staging of the World T20.

Reliable sources told DawnNews that contingency plans of World T20 have already been shared with members boards and now they will decide about the fate of the World T20, scheduled to be held in Australia in October this year.

Sources said that while Cricket Australia is very keen to host World T20 next year if the this year’s event is cancelled. The CA strongly feel that since it were to host this year’s World T20 event, it should automatically be awarded the rights to host the same next year if it gets cancelled this year.

On the other hand, the BCCI wants to avoid a situation where they end up hosting back to back ICC events in 2022 (World T20) as well as the 2023 Mens ODI World Cup which can put a lot of burden on the Indian board.

According to reports, the broadcasters too, are favouring the BCCI to host next year’s World T20 which can be a tricky situation for CA.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2020