ZCZC
BSP-13
CRICKET-BCB-CEO-ICC
Bangladesh updates ICC about its coronavirus effect on cricket
DHAKA, April 23, 2020 (BSS)-Bangladesh has given their coronavirus update
and it subsequent effect on the country’s cricket along with other cricketing
nations during The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Chief Executives’
Committee (CEC) meeting via conference call today as members came together to
consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sport.
During the call, the CEOs of the 12 Full Members and three Associate
representatives confirmed their full commitment to work in partnership to
address the challenges the sport will face in the coming weeks and months,
BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said.
“The meeting heard updates from all attendees regarding the current
situation in their own countries,” Chowdhury told the BSS over phone on
Thursday.
“We have given our coronavirus update. Due to geographic situation and our
timely arrangement to combat with the coronavirus pandemic saw the death toll
and infection ratio of our country is much lower than other countries.”
But coronavirus hit hard country’s cricket as Bangladesh saw the
postponement of the ODI and T20 series against Ireland and Test series
against Australia. Even the other series scheduled this year is on process to
be called off.
“The discussion revolved around basically as to how we can reschedule the
postponed series in future,” Chowdhury said, adding that the ICC just
collects the update and other information from the member countries but
didn’t give any decision.
Chowdhury informed that the ICC will arrange another teleconference after
one month.
ICC media release however said, The CEC was updated on the continuing
contingency planning for all ICC global events, including the ICC Men’s T20
World Cup 2020 and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021. Planning for both
events as currently scheduled is ongoing.
There was agreement that the disrupted FTP programme would need to be
collectively reviewed through to 2023 with a view to rescheduling as much of
the cricket that has been postponed due to COVID-19 as possible.
Discussions and decisions on this and the future of both the World Test
Championship and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League will be held at
a later date when there is a greater understanding of the impact of the
cricket that has been lost on the competitions.
ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said: “I am grateful to my fellow CEOs
for their clear commitment to a unified approach to steering cricket through
this pandemic. We will work in partnership for the best outcomes for the
sport in relation to both ICC events and bilateral cricket.
“We agreed on the importance of taking well informed, responsible
decisions in relation to the resumption of international cricket. The
complexities involved in being able to stage ICC global events are extensive
to ensure we protect the health and safety of everyone involved and they will
be carefully considered before any decisions are arrived at in the best
interests of the game.”
BSS/SMP/SB/2005 hrs