Former Pakistan captain and chief selector at the PCB, Inzamam-ul-Haq, has said questions will be asked if the 2020 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) would go ahead in the proposed window of T20 World Cup in Australia.
Much has been talked about the two marquee T20 events lined up in the year 2020 which has been eclipsed currently with COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic this year has disrupted the cricketing calendar.
Amidst all speculations, the most prominent one is the IPL going ahead this season in the proposed calendar of the prized multilateral international tournament scheduled in Australia. However, Inzamam has affirmed that questions would be raised if the series of events unfold in that manner.
“There are rumors that the World Cup was clashing with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Australia-India series, therefore, it (T20 World Cup) won’t take place,” Inzamam said on his YouTube Channel.
“The Indian board is strong and has control in the International Cricket Council (ICC). If Australia says that we cannot hold the World Cup because of the COVID-19 pandemic, then their stance will be easily accepted, but if any such event happens during the same time, then questions will be raised,” he said.
Further, Inzamam stated that priority to domestic leagues should not rest heavy over the international tournament. The rise of franchise cricket has seen an exodus of first-class cricketers, who are offered lucrative league contracts.
“People will think, if a country could host 12 to 14 teams (16 teams), then why the ICC could not look after the teams, after all Australia is such an advanced country. Another thing is the ICC should not be allowed to give priority to private leagues (IPL) on international cricket. This will lead to young players forcing on private leagues other than international matches.” Inzy concluded.
