BCCI was the first one to support PCB against playing the World Cup in February-March window next year: Basit Ali

A lot has been said targeting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the T20 World Cup postponement. Many reckon that the Indian board flexed its muscles to make the Indian Premier League (IPL) happen this year and it led to the mega event being postponed. But if the former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali is to be believed, nothing of that sorts happened and has cleared that the T20 WC wasn’t going to happen anyway.

Moreover, he also revealed that the ICC was planning to hold the World Cup in February-March window next year in Australia and New Zealand. But at the same time, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) takes place, and the PCB denied to withdraw the event. Basit Ali stated that the BCCI was the first member to support its neighbours in this argument in the meeting after which even the ECB also voiced out in their favour.

In the meeting, PCB also mentioned that they use the earnings from the PSL in domestic cricket and cancelling it would mean a massive loss for them. “In the meeting now, it was decided that the World Cup will not happen. There was a suggestion in the meeting that this World Cup that was postponed should be held in February-March 2021.

“PCB said that they would not agree because their PSL happens at the same time and the earnings from that is used in our domestic cricket. BCCI was the first to say that PCB (Ehsan Mani) was saying the correct thing and how they can withdraw their event which is scheduled in February-March,” the 49-year-old said while speaking on his Youtube channel.

“After that ECB head also spoke in our favour. Because of that the ICC dropped the idea of holding the World Cup that was planned to be held together in Australia and New Zealand in February-March,” he further said.

People should research first, says Basit Ali

Basit Ali lashed out at the ones blaming the BCCI for the T20 World Cup getting postponed. He also advised them to clear their facts first before speaking out on any matter and also pointed out that the board wouldn’t have supported the PCB if they were playing a game.

“This is a fact that people do not know. I will tell my brothers that they should research first and get the details, the talk is that BCCI has stopped the World Cup because of the IPL, that is not true. The World Cup was never going to happen. If BCCI had played a game to postpone the World Cup for the IPL, they would have allowed the World Cup in February-March but they opposed that because PSL will happen at that time. Do you have any answer for that?” he added.