Former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has criticised ICC’s decision to postpone the T20 World Cup. The marquee event was supposed to take place in Australia later this year but has been shifted to next year due to the current situation.

Akhtar pointed out that the decision was taken so that BCCI can have a window to play IPL 2020 this year. He also admitted that ICC should have hosted the T20 World Cup this year. However, unfortunately, IPL is being prioritised due to the BCCI being a powerful cricket board.

Shoaib Akhtar slams ICC’s decision

The former Pakistan speedster also stated that if things continue like this, the quality of the game will go down. Notably, the Asian Cricket Council also deferred the Asia Cup 2020 due to COVID-19. 

Akhtar said, “Ultimately a powerful man, or a powerful cricket board they run the policy and they make sure that you suffer. T20 WC and Asia Cup could have been played this year, this was a chance for India and Pakistan to play against each other but they let it go. There are a lot of reasons behind this I don’t want to go into details.”

“T20 WC could have been played but me and Rashid have said this repeatedly that they won’t let it happen, it won’t happen. IPL shouldn’t get damaged, the T20 World Cup can go to hell. India needs to save cricket immediately otherwise it won’t affect my era”.

“The quality of cricket will decline but people will continue to make millions of dollars from the sport. Even the following will reduce just like it did in Pakistan after 2017 Champions Trophy triumph”, Akhtar told Geo Cricket.

For the time being it is almost certain that IPL will be held during September-November later this year. The BCCI also has a tentative schedule in mind for the T20 league and wants to conduct it between 26 September to 08 November in UAE.

IPL Governing Council Chairman Brijesh Patel has already confirmed the news as they are now waiting for the government approval to play the league in UAE.