Babar hopes T20 WCup goes ahead even without spectators
NEW DELHI, May 19, (AP): The Board of Control for Cricket in India says it will “wait further” to organize training camp for its contracted players despite the government relaxing restrictions on sporting events, allowing them to resume without fans.
The Indian Premier League - the BCCI’s marque event -- was postponed last month due to the COVID19 pandemic. The Twenty20 tournament will only take place this year once travel restrictions are eased and the cricket board can find a suitable window for it in the schedule.
“Taking into the account the restrictions on air travel and movement of people till May 31, the BCCI will wait further before organizing a skill-based training camp for its contracted players,” cricket board treasurer Arun Dhumal said in a statement.
“The board reiterates that the safety and well-being of its athletes and support staff is paramount and will not rush into any decision that can hamper or jeopardize India’s efforts in containing the spread of the virus.”
Maharashtra and Karnataka are among several prominent states in India in complete lockdown. Cricket activities have been stopped around the country, but the BCCI wanted to try organizing training camps at local levels.
The Indian government extended the lockdown for two weeks on Sunday but said that sports complexes and stadiums will be permitted to open without spectators.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said all large gatherings will continue to remain prohibited, as will air travel “except for domestic medical services, domestic air ambulance and for security purposes or purposes as permitted by MHA.”
Also: ISLAMABAD: When cricket resumes, no team will be better prepared for playing in front of empty stands than Pakistan.
Pakistan did it for more than 10 years until last year.
The United Arab Emirates became Pakistan’s home away from home after the 2009 terrorist attack against the Sri Lanka team convoy in Lahore. No teams were willing to go to Pakistan to play a test until Sri Lanka last year in Rawalpindi.
“It’s ironic that we played our home cricket in front of almost empty stadia for 10 years and now the world is heading in that direction,” Pakistan limited-overs captain Babar Azam said on Monday in a video news conference. “No team knows what it feels like playing in front of empty stands more than Pakistan.”