IPL 2021: Pakistan’s wish can jeopardize Kiwi’s participation in IPL: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has requested New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to play two additional T20I matches. While nothing is finalized yet, if NZC is to agree, it could put New Zealand players’ availability in the few matches of IPL 2021 Phase 2 in further doubt. Kane Williamson & Co are set to visit Pakistan for a limited-overs series before the ICC T20 World Cup and IPL 2021 will resume on September 19, forcing both to clash inevitably.
The New Zealand team is scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals and as many T20 matches in September-October during the tour, which will be its first to Pakistan since 2002. The window also means that it will clash with the IPL 2021 Phase 2 in UAE as the tournament resumes on September 19 for the remaining 31 matches.
“Yes negotiations are being held with Cricket New Zealand to play two additional T20 matches because of the T20 World Cup but nothing is finalized as yet,” a source told PTI.
While as per reports, New Zealand players have made themselves available, if the series is to be extended by two more matches, it could force them to miss out on quite a few matches or the entire tournament depending on the schedule.
IPL 2021 Phase 2 vs PAK vs NZ: Why PCB’s request is a blow for IPL & BCCI?
- IPL 2021 Phase 2 is set to resume on September 19 in the UAE and Pakistan is set to host New Zealand during the same window.
- After returning from West Indies, Pakistan will play New Zealand in a three-match ODI against Afghanistan in September.
- New Zealand are expected to play tour Pakistan during this window before the T20 World Cup as England will also tour the Asian country in October.
- As the packed schedule stands, it is inevitable that it will clash with IPL 2021 Phase 2.
- As per current rules, foreign travellers must spend 12 days in quarantine.
- It could force the likes of Trent Boult, Kane Williamson and Kyle Jamieson to withdraw from the IPL or miss out on a few games if UAE doesn’t tweak its quarantine rules.
IPL 2021 Phase 2: The foreign players’ availability is something that has occupied BCCI’s time in planning for the tournament. With negotiations still underway with other cricket boards, BCCI hasn’t yet been able to inform the franchises of the schedule and players availability.
As franchises are waiting anxiously for official communication on dates, BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal told InsideSport that the dates will be announced shortly as it is still in the planning stage. “We are not announcing the dates as yet. It will come in a few days’ time,” he said.
However, IPL franchises are getting jittery without any official communication from the BCCI. So far all the information regarding dates has come from the media and not BCCI.
“We have only heard about the dates from the media and not from the BCCI. The problem is even though Rajeev ji has announced the dates, BCCI hasn’t sent anything officially. So, booking hotels assuming that the dates stick is not realistic. So, we won’t be going to UAE now as it’s better to get a confirmation from the BCCI first,” a franchise official, who did not wish to be named, told InsideSport.
Kasi Viswanathan, CSK’s CEO told InsideSport that they have opted out of going to the UAE and plan for logistics as they are still waiting for BCCI’s official communication.
“We are not going to UAE yet. We are still waiting for BCCI’s official communication on the dates and only then we will go. Till then, we will be doing everything virtually,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PCB is gearing up to host a number of top teams in the 2021/22 season with New Zealand, England, West Indies and Australia lined up. West Indies are due tentatively in December and Australia in Feb/March 2022.
