The inaugural edition of the Euro T20 Slam will have to wait for 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic despite everything being in place for the first ever multinational T20 professional cricket league.
SportzFront has reliably learnt that the league slated from August 21 to 30 will have to be deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rights holders of the league, sanctioned by the International Cricket Council and originally designed to be played across the Netherlands, Ireland and Scotland, were upbeat about their readiness to offer a “perfect springboard to make Euro T20 Slam a truly flagship event on the global cricket calendar”.
But the COVID-19 guidelines and standard operating procedures in place in Ireland and Scotland make it impossible to stage the ten-day event. That has led to the postponement of the league’s first season for the second successive year.
Deals with sponsors, including the title, franchisees, a number of top international players, several broadcasters and a leading fantasy sports platform were in place.
However, the league’s right holders will need to have at least 26 to 28 days commitment from the players, broadcast crew and other officials for the ten-day tournament, to also accommodate two-week mandatory quarantine and preparations for the league. The teams also needed at least a couple of days to practice together and find the right balance.
That has led the rights holders and the host cricket associations to take the bold decision of rescheduling the league for 2021.
The Euro T20 league is conceptualised by Woods Entertainment and backed by GS Holding and Cricket Ireland.