The other notable events in the period are next year’s 50-over World Cup, to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, plus the 2030 T20 World Cup to be held in England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.
Had India and Pakistan not played their pool game earlier this week, organisers were staring at the possibility of a $250 million hole being blown in the game’s revenue distribution model, derived from broadcast rights and commercial returns from the fixture.
Pakistan keeper Usman Khan runs out India’s Shivam Dube in Colombo on Sunday.Credit: AP
“The ICC’s priority remains the successful delivery of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which should also be the responsibility of all its members, including the PCB. It expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution, which protects the interests of all stakeholders,” the ICC said after the boycott was announced.
“While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan.
“The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of.”
Pakistan ultimately backed down from their threat after being reminded by multiple nations of the flow-on effects of not playing: financial realities and the impacts that would be felt by the majority of cricket nations that rely heavily on ICC funding.
Indian fans cheer for their team in Colombo, where an estimated crowd of 35,000 witnessed their victory over Pakistan.Credit: AP
As it is, relations between the two countries and their cricket teams have become extremely frosty, underlined by how none of the players shared even a handshake before or after the game at the Premadasa Stadium.
In addition to the conflict between India and Pakistan, the relatively recent advent of squabbles between India and Bangladesh have given administrators further reasons for pause.
Bangladesh’s star left-arm bowler, Mustafizur Rahman, had his Indian Premier League contract torn up following threats from a former Indian politician, amid rising enmity between the governments of India and Bangladesh.
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That resulted in a request from Bangladesh to move its matches from India to Sri Lanka due to safety concerns. That demand was rejected by the ICC and the BCCI, resulting in Bangladesh being replaced in the tournament by Scotland.
Australia were due to face Sri Lanka in Kandy in the early hours of Tuesday morning, with a defeat to the host nation most likely leading to early elimination after the surprise loss to Zimbabwe in Colombo on Friday.
Captain Mitchell Marsh was a chance to play after missing the first two games with testicular bleeding, while Steve Smith was on standby after arriving in Sri Lanka over the weekend.
