The ICC has decided to postpone Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League A because of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision of the postponement was announced on Tuesday as part of the organization’s comprehensive contingency process across all ICC events after it had taken consultation with the relevant government and public health authorities.
The event, forming part of the pathway to the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, was rescheduled from March and then was re-planned to take place in September and October in Malaysia. Now it has been postponed once again as part of the organization’s comprehensive contingency planning process across all ICC events with the consultation with the relevant government and public health authorities.
Six teams were planned play 15 List A matches in order to gain points and places in the Challenge League A, including Canada, Denmark, Qatar, Vanuatu, Singapore, and Malaysia. Canada and Singapore currently top the list on net run rate, with both teams having earned eight points. After the fixtures of the Challenge League A are completed, the top team will qualify for the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-Off.
According to the ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley, their priority is to protect the well-being of players, coaches, officials, fans, as well as the whole cricket community. Therefore, they have cooperated with the Malaysia Cricket Association and Members to fully assess the situation, considering ongoing international travel restrictions, global health concerns, as well as government and public health authority advice in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added that since they have the additional time due to the rescheduling of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 to October and November of 2023, they will be able to work with hosts and participating Members to find an appropriate way for the qualification pathway fixtures to be safely and practically rescheduled.
