Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cricket

In July 2020, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that both the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Men's T20 World Cup had each been postponed by one year due to the pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1733391 |title=ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2020 postponed |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=20 July 2020}} Therefore, the 2020 tournament was moved to November 2021, and the 2021 tournament was moved to October 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1733341 |title=Men's T20 World Cup postponement FAQs |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=20 July 2020}} Due to the disruption of qualification,{{cite news |date=20 July 2020 |title=ICC postpones T20 World Cup due to Covid-19 pandemic yes |work=ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29502051/icc-postpones-t20-world-cup-due-covid-19-pandemic}} the 2023 Cricket World Cup was also rescheduled from February–March 2023 to October–November 2023.{{cite web |title=ICC postpones T20 World Cup due to Covid-19 pandemic |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29502051/icc-postpones-t20-world-cup-due-covid-19-pandemic |access-date=20 July 2020 |work=ESPN Cricinfo|date=20 July 2020 }}

Australia and India retained the rights to host the Men's T20 World Cup,{{cite web |title=ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia postponed |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1733558 |access-date=20 July 2020 |work=International Cricket Council}} with the ICC announcing on 8 August that India will host the 2021 tournament, and Australia will host the 2022 tournament.{{cite web |title=Venue for postponed 2020 ICC Men's T20 World Cup confirmed |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1749944 |access-date=8 August 2020 |work=International Cricket Council}} The ICC also confirmed that the 2021 Women's Cricket World Cup and the tournament's qualifier had each been postponed by one year due to the pandemic.{{cite web |title=Next year's Women's World Cup postponed to 2022 |url=https://www.womenscriczone.com/next-years-womens-world-cup-postponed-to-2022/ |access-date=7 August 2020 |work=Women's CricZone}}{{cite news |title=Women's Cricket World Cup postponed until 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53698343 |access-date=7 August 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} The qualifier itself would ultimately be cancelled midway through due to concerns about the rise of the Omicron variant in South Africa while the qualifier was being held in neighboring Zimbabwe, and instead of using the results from the games completed, Women's ODI rankings were used to qualify Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the West Indies for the finals, and Sri Lanka and Ireland for the next cycle of the ICC Women's Championship, a decision that controversially and detrimentally affected Thailand, an Associate team whose results in the qualifier had given them a fair chance of qualifying for the finals and/or the Women's Championship, but due to their lack of ranking, were instead left out of either.{{cite web |title=Thailand and the fallacy of the ICC’s global growth strategy |url=https://emergingcricket.com/opinion/thailand-and-the-fallacy-of-the-iccs-global-growth-strategy/ |access-date=5 August 2024 |work=Emerging Cricket}}

Due to concerns over the COVID-19 situation in India, in June 2021 the ICC announced that the 2021 Men's T20 World Cup would be re-located to sites in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.{{cite web |date=28 June 2021 |title=ICC T20 World Cup 2021 to take place in UAE from October 17 |url=https://www.sportstiger.com/icc-t20-world-cup-2021-to-take-place-in-uae-from-october-17/ |access-date=28 June 2021 |work=SportsTiger}}{{Cite web |last=Acharya |first=Shayan |title=T20 World Cup set to begin on October 17 in UAE; final on November 14 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/t20-world-cup-set-to-begin-on-october-17-in-uae-final-on-november-14-1267881 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625170432/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/t20-world-cup-set-to-begin-on-october-17-in-uae-final-on-november-14-1267881 |archive-date=25 June 2021 |access-date=25 June 2021 |website=ESPNcricinfo}} India remained the formal host nation of the tournament.{{cite web |title=ICC announces expansion of global events |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/2164062 |access-date=1 June 2021 |work=International Cricket Council}}

In May 2021, five teams dropped off the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings rankings due to failing to play enough fixtures to qualify in the relevant period.[https://emergingcricket.com/news/nepal-netherlands-gain-in-annual-rankings-update/ Nepal, Netherlands gain in annual rankings update]

The 2020 ACA Africa T20 Cup was scheduled to take place in Kenya in March 2020, before it was postponed in line with the Kenyan government's 30-day ban on international gatherings.{{cite web |url=https://africacricket.com/read_more_news.php?id=145 |title=ACA T20 Africa Cup Kenya 2020 postponed |work=Africa Cricket Association |access-date=10 March 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.busybuddiesng.com/ncf-closes-lagos-camp-as-coronavirus-forces-postponement-of-africa-cricket-championship/ |title=NCF closes Lagos camp as coronavirus forces postponement of Africa Cricket Championship |work=Busy Buddies |date=10 March 2020 |access-date=10 March 2020 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518041252/https://www.busybuddiesng.com/ncf-closes-lagos-camp-as-coronavirus-forces-postponement-of-africa-cricket-championship/ |url-status=dead }} On 13 March 2020, the Netherlands tour to Namibia was cancelled due to the pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1645212 |title=SL-Eng Tests, Ind-SA ODIs postponed amid growing COVID-19 fears |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=25 June 2020}} Three days later, Ireland's tour to Zimbabwe also got cancelled.{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2020/articles/000003/000354.shtml |title=Ireland tour of Zimbabwe to be called off |work=Cricket Europe |access-date=16 June 2020 |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203125326/https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2020/articles/000003/000354.shtml |url-status=dead }}{{cite news| url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/irelands-zimbabwe-tour-to-be-cancelled-39043769.html |title=Ireland's Zimbabwe tour to be cancelled |work=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=16 June 2020}} On 24 March, Namibia tri-series was postponed.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1648353 |title=COVID-19 update – ICC qualifying events |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=26 June 2020}}

On 11 June 2020, the ICC confirmed that the Cricket World Cup Challenge League B has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1679832 |title=Two more series on the Road to India 2023 postponed |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=8 July 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2020/articles/000006/000641.shtml |title=World Cup Challenge League B postponed |work=Cricket Europe |access-date=8 July 2020 |archive-date=8 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708092841/https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2020/articles/000006/000641.shtml |url-status=dead }} The following month, the ICC also confirmed that the Namibia Tri-Nation Series, scheduled to take place in September 2020, had also been postponed.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1737880 |title=Two more ICC qualifying events postponed due to Covid-19 |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=23 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://emergingcricket.com/events/cwc-leagues/cwc-league-2/two-african-icc-qualifying-events-postponed-due-to-covid-19/ |title=Two African ICC qualifying events postponed due to COVID-19 |work=Emerging Cricket |date=23 July 2020 |access-date=23 July 2020}}

In August 2020, Afghanistan's tour to Zimbabwe was called off, following an increase of COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29619831/covid-19-impact-zimbabwe-v-afghanistan-t20i-series-called-off |title=Covid-19 impact: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan T20I series called off |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=8 August 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/zimbabwes-t20i-series-against-afghanistan-called-off-due-to-coronavirus/articleshow/77431416.cms |title=Zimbabwe's T20I series against Afghanistan called off due to coronavirus |work=Times of India |date=8 August 2020 |access-date=8 August 2020}} Later the same month, the Netherlands' tour to Zimbabwe was also called off,{{cite web|url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zimbabwe-cricket-hopes-to-salvage-pakistan-tour/ |title=Zimbabwe Cricket hopes to salvage Pakistan tour |work=The Chronicle |date=12 August 2020 |access-date=16 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zimbabwe-national-cricket-team-still-hopes-to-tour-pakistan/ |title=Zimbabwe national cricket team still hopes to tour Pakistan |work=The Chronicle |date=11 August 2020 |access-date=16 August 2020}} along with Pakistan's planned tour to South Africa.{{cite web|url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/6215-pakistans-tour-of-south-africa-postponed-over-covid-19-fear |title=Pakistan's tour of South Africa postponed over Covid-19 fear |work=Geo Super |access-date=28 August 2020}} In December 2020, England's ODI matches against South Africa were postponed following a COVID-19 outbreak.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30468430/south-africa-vs-england-2020-tour-called-covid-19-outbreak |title=England's South Africa tour called off after Covid-19 outbreak |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=7 December 2020}}

In December 2020, the first match of South Africa vs England (under South Africa's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League series) was initially postponed (later on cancelled) after two players of England Cricket Team tested positive for COVID-19 and also found breaching codes of bio-secure environment.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/england-cricket-coronavirus-positive-test-south-africa-b1766911.html|title=Two England cricket members test positive for coronavirus after South Africa ODI cancelled|date=6 December 2020|work=The Independent|access-date=9 December 2020}}

In early February 2021, Australian men announced that they would postpone their upcoming tour of South Africa because of the unacceptable risk of contracting COVID-19 whilst on Tour, along with difficulty in repatriating any Tour party members were some to contract the disease.{{cite news |last1=Moonda |first1=Firdose |last2=McGlashan |first2=Andrew |title=Australia postpone South Africa tour because of 'unacceptable' Covid-19 risk |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/australia-call-off-south-africa-tour-because-of-unacceptable-level-of-covid-19-risk-1249841 |access-date=2 February 2021 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}

The 2020 Everest Premier League in Nepal was also postponed on 12 March.{{cite web|title=Everest Premier League 2020 postponed due to coronavirus threat|url=https://www.emergingcricket.com/events/everest-premier-league/everest-premier-league-2020-postponed-due-to-coronavirus-threat/|date=5 March 2020|website=Emerging Cricket|access-date=12 March 2020}} On 13 March, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the start of 2020 Indian Premier League will be postponed from 29 March to 15 April.{{cite news |title=It's official: IPL 2020 postponed to April 15 due to coronavirus |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/its-official-ipl-2020-postponed-to-mid-april-due-to-coronavirus/articleshow/74609776.cms |access-date=13 March 2020 |work=Times of India}} On 16 April, BCCI suspended the tournament indefinitely due to the pandemic and on 4 June BCCI announced that IPL will staged outside India.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29034887/bcci-set-defer-ipl-indefinitely-india-lockdown |title=With India in lockdown, IPL 2020 suspended indefinitely |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=15 April 2020}} On 13 March, BCCI cancelled the ODI matches between India and South Africa on 15 and 18 March, which were originally announced to be played without spectators.{{cite news |title=India-South Africa series called off due to COVID-19 threat |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/coronavirus-india-south-africa-series-called-off-due-to-covid-19-threat/article31061061.ece |access-date=13 March 2020 |work=The Hindu}} On the same day, the two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and England, scheduled to be played in March 2020, was also postponed.{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28896266/england-tour-sri-lanka-cancelled-amid-covid-19-spread |title=England tour of Sri Lanka cancelled amid COVID-19 spread |work=ESPN Cricinfo |date=13 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020}} The remaining seven matches of the 2020 Road Safety World Series, a T20 tournament in India, were rescheduled to a later date.{{cite web |url=https://www.worldseriest20.com/news/in-the-interest-of-public-safety-security-and-support-to-the-government-road-safety-world-series-rescheduled |title=In the interest of public safety & security and support to the Government, Road Safety World Series rescheduled, new dates to be announced later |date=13 March 2020 |website=Road Safety World Series |language=en|access-date=13 March 2020|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318140831/https://www.worldseriest20.com/news/in-the-interest-of-public-safety-security-and-support-to-the-government-road-safety-world-series-rescheduled|archive-date=18 March 2020}} It was earlier decided that the remaining seven matches of the tournament would be played behind the closed doors in DY Patil Stadium.{{cite web |url=https://www.worldseriest20.com/news/unacademy-road-safety-world-series-to-be-played-behind-closed-doors-in-dy-patil-stadium |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325122940/https://www.worldseriest20.com/news/unacademy-road-safety-world-series-to-be-played-behind-closed-doors-in-dy-patil-stadium |url-status=usurped |archive-date=25 March 2020 |title=Unacademy Road Safety World Series to be played behind closed doors in DY Patil Stadium |date=12 March 2020 |website=Road Safety World Series |language=en|access-date=13 March 2020}}

A women's quadrangular series was scheduled to take place in Thailand in April 2020,{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/quadrangular-tournament-ahead-for-ireland-women |title=Quadrangular tournament ahead for Ireland Women |work=Cricket Ireland |access-date=23 February 2020 |archive-date=15 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515141226/https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/quadrangular-tournament-ahead-for-ireland-women |url-status=dead }} but was cancelled a month before it was due to start.{{cite web |url=https://www.kncb.nl/en/news/womens-quadrangular-series-in-thailand-called-off/ |title=Women's Quadrangular Series in Thailand called off |work=Royal Dutch Cricket Association |access-date=2 March 2020}} The 2020 Malaysia Cricket World Cup Challenge League A, scheduled to take place in March 2020, was postponed,{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1636508 |title=Men's Cricket World Cup Challenge League A postponed due to Coronavirus outbreak |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=5 March 2020}} along with two T20I matches between a World XI and Asia XI side.{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28882792/world-xi-v-asia-xi-matches-postponed-amid-coronavirus-fears |title=World XI v Asia XI matches postponed amid coronavirus fears |work=ESPN Cricinfo |date=11 March 2020 |access-date=11 March 2020}}

On 12 March, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced that all remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League's ongoing fifth season being played in Karachi (where the majority of cases in Pakistan had been concentrated) would be closed to spectators.{{cite news|date=12 March 2020|title=Covid-19: PSL matches in Karachi to be played in empty stadium|work=The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2174849/1-coronavirus-fears-psl-matches-karachi-played-empty-stadium/|access-date=13 March 2020}}{{cite news|date=12 March 2020|title=Coronavirus pandemic: Pakistan Super League matches in Karachi to be played in front of empty stands|work=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/psl-matches-in-karachi-to-be-held-closed-door-without-crowd-coronavirus-outbreak-pandemic-1654922-2020-03-12|access-date=13 March 2020}} On 16 March 2020, the remaining play-offs in the 2020 Pakistan Super League were postponed due to a huge spike in the number of coronavirus cases around the country.{{cite web |url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/4433-pcb-decides-to-call-off-psl-2020-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-report |title=PCB 'postpones' PSL 2020 amid coronavirus outbreak |website=www.geosuper.tv}} The Bangladesh tour of Pakistan for a single ODI and a Test match was also postponed.{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1645763 |title=Bangladesh's Karachi leg of Pakistan tour postponed |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=19 March 2020}} On 24 March 2020, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that all ICC qualifying events scheduled to take place before 30 June 2020 had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included 2020–21 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier for Western and Eastern sub-regions.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1648353 |title=COVID-19 update – ICC qualifying events |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=26 March 2020}}

On 9 April 2020, there was an announcement of postponement of Australia-Bangladesh Test series.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29014919/bangladesh-australia-test-series-postponed-amid-covid-19-threat |title=Bangladesh-Australia Test series postponed amid Covid-19 threat |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=26 June 2020}} On 20 April 2020, Sri Lanka and South Africa cricket boards confirmed that SA tour to the island nation has been postponed.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29069801/south-africa-june-tour-sri-lanka-postponed |title=South Africa's June tour of Sri Lanka postponed |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=26 June 2020}}

On 23 June 2020, New Zealand cricket team's tour to Bangladesh, which was scheduled to take place in August, was postponed.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29351230/new-zealand-august-tour-bangladesh-postponed |title=New Zealand's August tour of Bangladesh postponed |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=23 June 2020}} A day later, on 24 June 2020, the Bangladesh's tour to Sri Lanka was postponed due to the pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29357362/bangladesh-postpone-sri-lanka-tour-due-covid-19-pandemic |title=Bangladesh postpone Sri Lanka tour due to Covid-19 pandemic |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=24 June 2020}}

On 9 July 2020, the 2020 Asia Cup was postponed until the following July,{{cite web|url=http://www.asiancricket.org/index.php/news/2020/3491 |title=ACC Media Release: Asia Cup 2020 to be Postponed |work=Asian Cricket Council |access-date=9 July 2020}} with the 2020 Asia Cup Qualifier tournament cancelled.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/cricket/no-home-asia-cup-for-uae-after-tournament-is-cancelled-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic-1.1046740 |title=No home Asia Cup for UAE after tournament is cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic |work=The National |date=9 July 2020 |access-date=9 July 2020}} On 25 August 2020, the ICC confirmed that the 2020 Malaysia Cricket World Cup Challenge League A tournament had been postponed again due to the pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1775687 |title=ICC Men's CWC Challenge League A postponed |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=25 August 2020}} The following month, it was confirmed that the 2020 edition of the Women's Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in September in Bangladesh,{{cite web |url=http://www.asiancricket.org/downloads/2019/CalendarFY2020.jpg |title=Asian Cricket Council Calendar 2020 |work=Asian Cricket Council |access-date=21 July 2019 |archive-date=4 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204191533/http://www.asiancricket.org/downloads/2019/CalendarFY2020.jpg |url-status=dead }} had also been cancelled due to the pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29935247/women-cricket-covid-19-return-action-some-teams-not-all |title=Cricket for some, not for all - where does the women's game stand? |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=21 September 2020}} On 28 September 2020, Bangladesh's planned tour to Sri Lanka was postponed for a second time, after both cricket boards could not agree on the quarantine requirements.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29992258/bangladesh-tour-sri-lanka-postponed-again-bcb,-slc-stalemate-covid-19-quarantine-continues |title=Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka postponed again as stalemate over quarantine continues |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=28 September 2020}}

In October 2020, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed that there would be no edition of the Bangladesh Premier League in 2020, due to the pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/114495/no-bangladesh-premier-league-in-2020-confirms-bcb-chief |title=No Bangladesh Premier League in 2020, confirms BCB chief |work=CricBuzz |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=11 October 2020}} In January 2021, the Ireland cricket team were scheduled to play four ODIs against the UAE. However, a COVID-19 outbreak in the UAE team meant that the tour schedule was changed multiple times, resulting in only two of the four matches being played.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/55703958 |title=UAE v Ireland: Simi Singh stars as visitors earn 112-run win to level ODI series |work=BBC Sport |access-date=18 January 2021}}

In India, the 2020–21 Ranji Trophy tournament was cancelled due to the pandemic,{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/no-ranji-trophy-in-2020-21-but-bcci-to-hold-domestic-50-over-competitions-for-men-women-u-19-boys-1249623 |title=No Ranji Trophy in 2020-21, but BCCI to hold domestic 50-over games for men, women, and U-19 boys |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=30 January 2021}} the first time since the tournament's inception in the 1934–35 season that the Ranji Trophy was not held.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/bcci-to-hold-hazare-trophy-as-per-state-units-wish-no-ranji-trophy-for-first-time-in-87-years/article33701912.ece |title=No Ranji Trophy for first time in 87 years |work=The Hindu |date=30 January 2021 |access-date=30 January 2021 |last1=Karhadkar |first1=Amol }} On 5 May 2021, the 2021 Indian Premier League was suspended indefinitely, after a rise in COVID-19 cases within teams.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2021-suspended-as-covid-count-increases-1262269 |title=IPL 2021 suspended as Covid count increases |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=4 May 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/117360/saha-tests-positive-for-covid-19-srhvmi-set-to-be-rescheduled |title=IPL 2021 suspended indefinitely; Saha, Mishra test positive |work=CricBuzz |date=4 May 2021 |access-date=4 May 2021}} The remainder of the season was played in the UAE.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2021-bcci-to-conduct-remainder-of-ipl-2021-in-september-october-in-uae-1264442 |first=Nagraj |last=Gollapudi |date=29 May 2021 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |title=BCCI to conduct remainder of IPL 2021 in September-October in UAE |access-date=1 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2021-chennai-super-kings-vs-mumbai-indians-to-kickstart-ipl-s-uae-leg-from-september-19-1270974 |work=ESPNcricinfo |date=25 July 2021 |title=Dhoni vs Rohit to kickstart IPL's UAE leg from September 19 |access-date=1 September 2021}}

In Pakistan, the 2021 Pakistan Super League was postponed from March–April to 1 June. They were hosted in United Arab Emirates due to growing cases of the COVID-19 pandemic. The winner surprisingly became Multan Sultans (They were below the table for the entire time. Until the tournament postponed and hosted again on 1 June.)

On 11 March 2020, English teams Worcestershire and Surrey both cancelled their pre-season warm-up tours to the United Arab Emirates.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/51835256 |title=Worcestershire & Surrey cancel pre-season trips to United Arab Emirates over coronavirus fear |newspaper=BBC Sport |date=11 March 2020 |access-date=12 March 2020}} The following day, Australia Women's tour to South Africa in March 2020 became the first major international series to be curtailed due to the pandemic.{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1219220.html |title=Australia Women won't tour South Africa as scheduled because of coronavirus |work=ESPN Cricinfo |date=12 March 2020 |access-date=12 March 2020}} On 21 March 2020, announcement was made for postponement of Bangladesh's summer tour to Ireland.{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2020/articles/000003/000372.shtml |title=Ireland postpone series against Bangladesh |work=Cricket Europe |access-date=21 March 2020 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201145049/https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2020/articles/000003/000372.shtml |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/cricket-ireland-and-bangladesh-cricket-board-agree-to-postpone-series |title=Cricket Ireland and Bangladesh Cricket Board agree to postpone series |work=Cricket Ireland |access-date=21 March 2020 |archive-date=21 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321122359/https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/cricket-ireland-and-bangladesh-cricket-board-agree-to-postpone-series |url-status=dead }} Teams from Austria, Luxembourg and Romania were to tour Belgium for their T20 international series in April and May. All the three series got cancelled.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/202179940129854/posts/1114923062188866/|title=Belgium vs Austria T20I series planned for 18-19th April 2020 in Belgium has been postponed due to Coronacrisis|website=Cricket Belgium Official (via Facebook)|access-date=8 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/202179940129854/posts/1118064285208077/|title=Belgium vs Luxembourg T20Is postponed until further notice|website=Cricket Belgium Official (via Facebook)|access-date=8 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/202179940129854/posts/1122824444732061|title=A very busy and exciting summer programme got entirely affected by the COVID-19|work=Cricket Belgium Official on Facebook|access-date=8 July 2020}}

On 21 April 2020, the Dutch government banned all public events in the country through August, requiring the postponement of tours of the Netherlands by New Zealand, Pakistan and the West Indies. A quadrangular series to by played in Netherlands in June was also postponed.{{cite web|url=https://www.kncb.nl/en/news/all-international-matches-in-the-netherlands-postponed/ |title=All international matches in the Netherlands postponed |work=Royal Dutch Cricket Association |access-date=28 April 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/121213055/coronavirus-huge-cloud-over-black-caps-tours-to-uk-and-west-indies-because-of-covid19 |title=Coronavirus: Huge cloud over Black Caps tours to UK and West Indies because of Covid-19 |work=Stuff |date=23 April 2020 |access-date=28 April 2020}}

On 5 May 2020, Tom Harrison, chief of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee that the ECB could lose as much as £380 million if the entirety of the season were to be cancelled, and hoped that investments in the upcoming limited overs competition The Hundred could be a "profit centre" for the ECB.{{Cite web|title=Tom Harrison denies gambling on Hundred as ECB face £380 million loss|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29136075/tom-harrison-denies-gambling-hundred-ecb-face-380-million-loss|date=5 May 2020|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|access-date=31 May 2020}}

Australia were originally scheduled to tour England in July 2020 to play three One Day International (ODI) and three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches. Due to pandemic, in May 2020, it was suggested that the dates for the series were moved back to September.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/irish-work-to-bring-forward-england-duels-39180821.html |title=Irish work to bring forward England duels |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=5 May 2020 |access-date=8 July 2020}} The New Zealand tour of Ireland was postponed on 15 May 2020 due to the pandemic. At the same time Pakistan's tour was also called-off.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/52664231/ |title=Ireland: Home games against New Zealand and Pakistan called off because of Covid-19 restrictions |work=BBC Sport |access-date=26 June 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ireland-s-home-summer-scrapped-as-pakistan-new-zealand-postpone-tours-1222794|title=Ireland's home summer scrapped as Pakistan, New Zealand postpone tours|work=ESPN cricinfo|access-date=2021-10-08}}

On 1 June 2020, the Professional Cricketers' Association confirmed that county cricketers will continue to take pay cuts of up to 20 per cent for the months of June and July.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/52875104|title=County cricket: Player wage cuts extended into June and July, PCA confirms|work=BBC Sport |access-date=1 June 2020}} On 10 June 2020, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the Scotland tri-series, also involving Nepal and Namibia has been postponed due to the pandemic.{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketscotland.com/ninth-round-of-cricket-world-cup-league-2-postponed/ |title=Ninth round of Cricket World Cup League 2 postponed |work=Cricket Scotland |access-date=26 June 2020}} Australia were supposed to tour Scotland for a solitary T20I. However, on 17 June 2020, Cricket Scotland confirmed that the match had been cancelled.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53079453 |title=Scotland v Australia T20 game cancelled amid coronavirus pandemic |work=BBC Sport |access-date=26 June 2020}}

In August 2020, South Africa women's planned tour to England was cancelled.{{cite web |url=https://cricket.co.za/news/35853/Momentum-Proteas-unable-to-travel-for-England-Women-Tour |title=Momentum Proteas unable to travel for England Women Tour |work=Cricket South Africa |access-date=18 August 2020 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918133143/http://cricket.co.za/news/35853/Momentum-Proteas-unable-to-travel-for-England-Women-Tour |url-status=dead }} In November 2020, Ireland and Scotland women's planned tour to Spain was postponed, after Scotland withdrew.{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/la-manga-womens-series-off-after-cricket-scotland-withdrawal |title=La Manga women's series off after Cricket Scotland withdrawal |work=Cricket Ireland |access-date=17 November 2020 |archive-date=17 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117141840/https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/la-manga-womens-series-off-after-cricket-scotland-withdrawal |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketscotland.com/womens-series-versus-ireland-postponed/ |title=Womens Series versus Ireland Postponed |work=Cricket Scotland |access-date=17 November 2020}} In September 2020, the seventh edition of the Central Europe Cup in Prague was one of several annual associate member tournaments to be cancelled.{{cite web|url=https://emergingcricket.com/news/central-european-cup-cancelled-due-to-prague-covid-19-flare-up/|title=Central European Cup Cancelled due to Prague Covid-19 flare-up|work=Emerging Cricket|date=15 September 2020|access-date=15 September 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2020/articles/000011/001161.shtml?860|title=Central Europe Cup cancelled|work=CricketEurope|date=5 September 2020|access-date=18 September 2020|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421190317/https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2020/articles/000011/001161.shtml?860|url-status=dead}}

In November 2020, the planned Cricket World Cup Super League fixtures between the Netherlands and England was postponed.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30398717/england-netherlands-2021-england-going-dutch-historic-odi-series-postponed-2022 |title=England won't be going Dutch as Netherlands ODI tour is postponed |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=27 November 2020}} The series was originally scheduled to be played in May 2021, but it was moved to May 2022 due to the pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.kncb.nl/en/news/netherlands-vs-england-in-icc-cwc-super-league-postponed/ |title=Netherlands vs England in ICC CWC Super League postponed |work=Royal Dutch Cricket Association |access-date=27 November 2020}}

On 13 March 2020, the 2020 United States Tri-Nation Series was postponed due to the pandemic and travel restrictions to the United States. The tri-series also involved Scotland and the UAE.{{cite web|title=Series six of Men's CWC League 2 in USA postponed due to Coronavirus outbreak|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1645150|work=International Cricket Council|access-date=13 March 2020}}{{cite web|title=Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 in USA Postponed due to Coronavirus outbreak|url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/mens-cricket-world-cup-league-2-in-usa-postponed-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak/|date=13 March 2020|work=USA Cricket|access-date=13 March 2020}} The 2019–20 West Indies Championship was suspended due to the pandemic and Barbados was declared the champion on 24 March.[https://apnews.com/435405d82ed4d043a7998c2a32fc8e87 Barbados declared winners of West Indies championship] AP, 24 March 2020

The men's and women's Central American Cricket Championship were scheduled for April and May 2020 respectively. On 1 April, both tournaments were cancelled as a result of the pandemic.{{cite tweet |user=yourmaninmexico |number=1245331662767964160 |date=1 April 2020 |title=CAC is off}} The pandemic delayed the launch timelines for USA Cricket's planned domestic T20 leagues, with Minor League Cricket delayed to 2021,{{Cite web |date=2020-10-16 |title=USA Cricket plan to make country leading nation in the sport |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1099662/usa-cricket-plan-leading-nation-in-sport |access-date=2020-10-17 |website=Inside the Games}}{{Cite web |date=2020-10-16 |title=USA Cricket targets ICC full member status by 2030 |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/usa-cricket-icc-full-member-status-t20-league-la-2028-olympics |access-date=2020-10-17 |website=SportsPro Media}} and Major League Cricket delayed to 2023 due to both the pandemic and the need to construct cricket-specific facilities.{{Cite web |title=USA's MLC T20 tournament pushed back to 2023 at AGM |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/usa-s-mlc-t20-tournament-pushed-back-to-2023-at-agm-1263761 |access-date=2021-07-26 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}

New Zealand's tour of the West Indies{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/50404085 |title=New Zealand in West Indies 2020 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/newzealand/bangladesh_test_series_new_zealand_postponed.html |title=Bangladesh Test series against New Zealand postponed |work=The Cricketer |access-date=2 June 2020}} and South Africa's tour of the West Indies{{cite web|url=https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/05/13/south-africa-tours-to-west-indies-put-back/ |title=South Africa tours to West Indies put back |work=Barbados Today |date=14 May 2020 |access-date=12 July 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/50404956 |title=South Africa in West Indies 2020 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=12 July 2020}} were both postponed, after the West Indies tour to England was rescheduled.

The ODI portion of an Ireland series in December 2021 against the United States was cancelled due to COVID-19 issues.{{cite web |title=USA-Ireland ODI series cancelled due to Covid-19 outbreak |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/usa-ireland-odi-series-cancelled-due-to-covid-19-outbreak-1294687 |access-date=28 December 2021 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}

On 23 March, the T20I series between Brazil women's team and Argentina women's team was postponed.{{cite web|url=https://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/sport/cricket/former-exmouth-cricketer-coaching-the-brazilian-national-women-s-team-1-6573977|title=Former Exmouth cricketer coaching the Brazilian national women's team|website=Exmouth Journal|access-date=9 July 2020|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929002054/https://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/sport/cricket/former-exmouth-cricketer-coaching-the-brazilian-national-women-s-team-1-6573977|url-status=dead}} The 2020 South American Cricket Championship were also cancelled after being postponed from October 2020.{{cite tweet |user=brasil_cricket |number=1293518999523909632 |date=12 August 2020 |title=Due to the current situation in South America we're cancelling the South American Championships that had been postponed to Nov/Dec 2019}}

On 14 March 2020, the remaining two One Day International (ODI) matches of the Chappell–Hadlee Trophy along with the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series between Australia and New Zealand were cancelled due to new border restrictions imposed by the New Zealand government.{{cite web |url=https://es.pn/2U7Ngt5 |title=Australia v NZ cancelled amid travel restrictions |work=ESPNcricinfo |first=Andrew |last=McGlashan |date=14 March 2020 |access-date=14 March 2020}} The first ODI match of the series had been played on 13 March behind closed doors in Sydney.{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1645137 |title=COVID-19 outbreak: Chappell-Hadlee series to be held behind closed doors |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=13 March 2020}} The following day, Cricket Australia confirmed that the final round of matches in the 2019–20 Sheffield Shield season had been cancelled, with New South Wales being named as the winners of the tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28913589/new-south-wales-named-sheffield-shield-winners-final-cancelled |title=New South Wales named Sheffield Shield winners as final cancelled |work=ESPN Cricinfo |date=17 March 2020 |access-date=17 March 2020}} New Zealand Cricket cancelled the final two rounds of matches in the 2019–20 Plunket Shield season,{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28909068/plunket-shield-cancelled-due-coronavirus-measures,-wellington-named-champions |title=Plunket Shield cancelled due to coronavirus measures, Wellington named champions |work=ESPN Cricinfo |date=16 March 2020 |access-date=16 March 2020}} with Wellington being named the winners of the tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120318144/coronavirus-plunket-shield-cancelled-wellington-firebirds-declared-champions |title=Coronavirus: Plunket Shield cancelled, Wellington Firebirds declared champions |work=Stuff |date=16 March 2020 |access-date=16 March 2020}}

On 24 March 2020, the ICC confirmed that all ICC qualifying events, across all regions, scheduled to take place before 30 June 2020 had been postponed due to the pandemic. This included tri-series between PNG, Nepal and UAE.

On 30 June 2020, Zimbabwe's ODI tour to Australia was postponed.{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/zimbabwe-tour-of-australia-in-august-postponed-due-to-covid-19-2693519.html |title=Zimbabwe Tour of Australia in August Postponed Due to COVID-19 |work=News18 |access-date=30 June 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29385335/zimbabwe-three-match-odi-tour-australia-postponed |title=Zimbabwe's three-match ODI tour to Australia postponed |work=ESPN cricinfo |access-date=30 June 2020}} On 4 August 2020, the West Indies T20I tour to Australia was also postponed.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29592281/australia-west-indies-t20is-cancellation-leaves-cricket-calendar-clearer-ipl |title=Australia v West Indies T20Is postponed, IPL to not clash with any international cricket |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=4 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/australia-west-indies-t20-series-postponed-twenty20-world-cup-schedule-series-ipl/2020-08-04 |title=Australia v Windies on hold as part of schedule rejig |work=Cricket Australia |access-date=4 August 2020}} On 25 September 2020, Cricket Australia confirmed that the one-off Test match against Afghanistan, and the limited-overs series against New Zealand had both been postponed due to the pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/cricket-australia-postpone-afghanistan-test-new-zealand-one-day-internationals-schedule/2020-09-25 |title=CA confirms Afghanistan Test, NZ ODIs on hold |work=Cricket Australia |access-date=25 September 2020}}

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Cricket

Category:2020 in cricket

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