'It has given reassurance to all cricketers' - Irfan Pathan reacts after Sourav Ganguly issues statement over the fate of IPL 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the sporting scenario to a standstill. With over 7 million positive cases across the world, the coronavirus outbreak has emerged as a roadblock in the commencement of all cricketing activities. Over the past few months, there has been no international cricket whatsoever in the wake of the pandemic.

Amid these trying times, the highly-anticipated IPL 2020 has also been postponed indefinitely. Along with the resumption of international cricket, fans are also waiting eagerly for the return of cash-rich league. The fate of the T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia is important for the BCCI to decide on the schedule of the IPL this year.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, amid all the uncertainty, stated that the board is trying its best to host the tournament in the latter stage of the year.

“The BCCI is working on all possible options to ensure that we are able to stage the IPL this year, even if it means playing the tournament in empty stadiums,” Ganguly wrote in a letter.

Ganguly’s statement gave a ray of hope to all Indian fans who are eagerly waiting for the commencement of IPL 2020. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan also said it is great news if BCCI is looking to hold the IPL this year.

Irfan said that he is uncertain over the commencement of T20 World Cup in Australia as they follow their rules quite particularly. The postponement of T20 World Cup will pave way for the BCCI to host the IPL during that window.

I am looking forward to the start of IPL as well: Irfan Pathan

“I just read the statement yesterday that they are trying their best to have an IPL. Everybody is looking forward to that stage. A lot of people are talking about the World Cup happening in Australia, I have my doubts because, in Australia, I have been there. These guys in Australia follow their rules very particularly.

Even if it’s the smallest rule, they go by the norm. They look after each and every situation. Getting quite a few games altogether, with the quarantine and everything, I think it looks very difficult,” said Irfan as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Ganguly’s statement regarding the fate of the IPL has given reassurance to all the cricketers, according to Irfan, who bid adieu to the game earlier this year.

“In that regard, the statement coming from Sourav Ganguly as the president of BCCI that the IPL will happen at some stage, that’s great news not only for Indian cricketers but for all cricketers around the world as well. I’m looking forward to it as well. That does give a lot of reassurance to all the cricketers,” he added.