In a significant development which hints at a major stumbling block in the staging of the ICC World T20, Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings on Tuesday told reporters that it would be ‘unrealistic’ to hold the T20I World Cup this year due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.

“While it hasn't been formally called off this year, or postponed, trying to get 16 countries into Australia in the current world, where most countries are still going through COVID spiking, I think it's unrealistic, or it's going to be very, very difficult,” Eddings told reporters.

Eddings remarks are in stark contrast to the earlier statements issued by Cricket Australia officials, as they has previously stated that they are planning out a way to conduct the tournament on the scheduled dates. However, with the travel restrictions imposed by the nation due to virus-related threats, Eddings believes that it would be difficult for the tournament to take place.

Speaking to reporters, Eddings said: “While it hasn’t been formally called off this year, or postponed, trying to get 16 countries into Australia in the current world, where most countries are still going through COVID spiking, I think it’s unrealistic, or it’s going to be very, very difficult.”

“The ICC are having meetings as we speak, it’s a bit of a movable feast at the moment,” he further added.

T20 World Cup chief Nick Hockley, who took over the role of interim Cricket Australia chief, further added that he believes the ICC to make a final decision by next month.

“We’ve got a fantastic local organising committee who are busy preparing for every eventuality and the decision that will come,” he said.

The 2020 ICC World T20 is originally scheduled to take place from October 18 to November 15