Coronavirus outbreak puts Asia Cup 2020 in jeopardy

• Pakistan is schedule to host the tournament in September this year.

Amid coronavirus pandemic, this year’s Asia Cup 2020 is likely to suffer the same fate as other sporting event around the globe.

As per Indo-Asian New Service (IANS), the tournament is not looking like a possibility if these situation, created by deadly virus, prolong.

The agency quoted an official of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), “Though it doesn’t seem right to be talking about cricket schedules as of now, we can safely assume that Asia Cup isn’t a possibility. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 is unknown as of now.” 

He added, “The job losses across sectors and the impact on the economy is also unknown. The sports organisation are also hit deeply and there will be some tough measures once some semblance of normalcy returns. There are liabilities and difficulties that the Board faces and it will be a new kind of a challenge to deal with them.”

As per Cricket Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official did seem optimistic about the tournament, which is scheduled to take place in the country in September.

“We cannot throw light on when the next Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting will take place and on decisions around the Asia Cup and its fate,” a PCB official told the site.

With the COVID-19 pandemic escalating in the region and no Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meetings lined up in near future, there is a cloud over the tournament happening at all this year.