New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has denied reports claiming that it has offered to host the suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) this year even as BCCI contemplates to organise the cash-rich event amid the coronavirus pandemic.
As per several reports, New Zealand became the country after UAE and Sri Lanka to have told BCCI it’s ready to host the annual event in case it’s not possible to be held in India which has become third-worst infected country after USA and Brazil.
NZC spokesperson Richard Boock has said the board hasn’t had any talks with the BCCI expressing interest in hosting IPL 13.
“The report is simply speculation. We have not offered to host the IPL nor have we had an approach to do so,” NZC spokesperson Boock was quoted as saying by Radio New Zealand.
News agency PTI had quoted an unnamed BCCI official as claiming that New Zealand has made the offer.
The Indian cricket board is hopeful of organising the league in September-October window in place of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which in all likeliness will be cancelled.
Cricket Australia has already state that organising an event of the scale of a world cup is unrealistic this year due to the logistical nightmares that will arise amid the restrictions in place to combat the deadly virus.
With several cases rising in India, there’s a real possibility of IPL being shifted out of the country as in the past.
In 2009, due to the general election, the entire second season was held in South Africa and the 2014 season also was partially held outside the country.
Sri Lanka Cricket(SLA) proposal to Host IPL 2020
Speaking to Lankadeepa Newspaper, SLC President Shammi Silva said that India is likely to look into Sri Lanka’s proposal if the coronavirus situation subsides in the neighbouring country.
“If IPL is called off, Indian Cricket board and IPL stakeholders will have to bear a loss of more than USD 500 Million. So, it will be beneficial for them to conduct the league in another country as they did in 2009 in South Africa,” said Silva.
Silva also said that Sri Lanka has all the facilities and is awaiting a response from BCCI. “If we get the go-ahead from them to this proposal, we are ready to provide all the facilities necessary under the supervision of Sri Lankan health authorities,” he added.
“The health and safety of the nation and everyone involved in our great sport remain our top priority and as such, the BCCI along with the Franchise Owners, Broadcaster, Sponsors and all the Stakeholders acknowledge that the IPL 2020 season will only commence when it is safe and appropriate to do so,” a BCCI release stated.
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