With the surge in Covid19 cases in India and with five months to go for the ICC T20 World Cup, United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been put on standby as an alternative venue for the marquee event. As per a report on the Guardian, could in all likelihood host the showpiece event if the current Covid19 scenario in India does not improve.
While the International Cricket Council is mulling all options, it would be a big setback for fans in India if the tournament does not take place in the country.
The T20 World Cup was scheduled to be held in Australia in the October-November window, but it was postponed by the ICC keeping the pandemic in mind. BCCI sensed an opportunity and capitalised on the window which had been created and went ahead with the IPL.
In 2020, UAE – which does not have a massive population – proved to be the saviour for BCCI last year permitting the IPL to be held in the middle-eastern country. The tournament proved to be a runaway success, which was least expected given the pandemic situation back then.
While top players are leaving the bio bubble and returning to their country fearing a lockout as Australia mulls cancelling all flights from India, pressure is also mounting on the English Cricket Board to bring back their players who are IPL-bound.
Meanwhile, India is grappling with COVID-19. With each passing day, the scenario is going from bad to worse in the country.
Official new daily infections in India top 350,000, and unofficial ones suggest the numbers are far greater.