DUBAI: Even as unnamed BCCI sources offer various scenarios being comtemplated under which the upcoming T20 World Cup could still be staged in India, International Cricket Council interim CEO Geoff Allardice has sought to offer a reality check.
While India have the hosting rights for T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in October-November this year, the UAE and Oman remain the preferred choice among member nations.
Speaking to PTI, Allardice assured that even if the tournament is held in India, it will only happen once all the member nations are taken into confidence.
Allardice noted: “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.”
The ICC interim CEO further said the travel restrictions in place due to Covid-19 pandemic has added an extra layer of complexity.
“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.
“There are restrictions related to travel and requirements to enter other countries, the arrangements around hotels etc.,” he said.
“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 (June 28), 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.”
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