The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could take a decision on the series against Bangladesh in the next three days. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
New Delhi:
The coronavirus pandemic has decimated sporting calendars all over the globe with cricket being no exception. The India vs South Africa series, along with England vs Sri Lanka as well as Australia vs New Zealand was all postponed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic while the Indian Premier League was postponed to April 15. All India, Australia and domestic fixtures have been postponed in the wake of the coronavirus. The only exception seems to be the Pakistan Super League T20 that is being played. The matches at the National Stadium in Karachi, though, are being played behind closed doors in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the coronavirus pandemic has not impacted the sub-continent much.
There have been 21 reported cases of the coronavirus in Pakistan. India now has over 107 cases of the coronavirus, followed by Sri Lanka with 10 and Bangladesh with three. Of the 21 cases in Pakistan, 16 alone are from Karachi and that is the venue for the upcoming ODI and Test which will be played against Bangladesh in April. Waseem Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board CEO said, "I talked with Nizamuddin, (BCB's Chief executive) but he will first talk to his board and hopefully we will get some clarity in the next three days."
BCB chief executive, Nizamuddin Chowdhury also confirmed, "They are yet to receive any word from their Pakistani counterparts regarding the fate of the series. Pakistan is hosting the series so they will take the decision [regarding the upcoming tour of Pakistan] as it is their call. Let's wait for their decision."
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the remainder of the Indian domestic cricket season over the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. This announcement has resulted in the Irani Trophy, which was to have been played between Saurashtra, the Ranji Trophy champions and Rest of India has now been suspended due to the coronavirus.
Only the Pakistan Super League is being played amidst the coronavirus pandemic. (Image credit: Getty Images)
In a statement by the BCCI, it said, "Senior Women's One-Day Knockout, Vizzy Trophy, Senior Women's One-Day Challenger, Women's Under 19 One-Day knockout, Women’s Under 19 T20 League, Super League and knockout, Women's Under 19 T20 Challenger Trophy, Women's Under 23 knockout, Women’s Under 23 One-Day Challenger have been put on hold till further notice."
Also Read | Australia vs New Zealand ODI And T20I Series Postponed Due To Coronavirus Pandemic
The ODI series between Australia and New Zealand was postponed due to the COVID_19 scare. The Coronavirus pandemic has absolutely devastated the sporting calendar. All major football tournaments, including the Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga and Premier League have been postponed till April 3 while cricket is no exception. The Indian Premier League was postponed to April 15 while the India vs South Africa ODI series was rescheduled to a later date in the wake of the coronavirus. England's two-Test tour of Sri Lanka has also been postponed.
