New Delhi: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani is of the opinion that staging of the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia would not be possible as per the schedule stated by the ICC for the multi-nation tournament in the first place. As per the PCB Supremo holding a multi-national tournament in a bio-bubble is very difficult as opposed to doing so for a bilateral series

"We have had a lot of discussions and the feeling is it (T20 World Cup) would not be possible this year. ICC has World Cups lined up in 2021 and 2023, so we have a gap year where we can adjust this event," Mani, who also heads the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Finance and Commercial Rights Committee, told reporters on Wednesday.

The 2020 ICC World T20 is scheduled to be held from October 18 to November 15 but a dark cloud looms large over the fortunes of the tournament on account of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

"God forbid if some player(s) falls ill or mishap occurs during the tournament, it will have a big impact and create panic in the cricket world and we can't take that risk.

"Having a bio-bubble environment is feasible for say a bilateral series like Pakistan in England, but it is very difficult when 16 teams are involved," he said.

Mani's comments come on the back of Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings stating the holding of the World Cup seems rather unrealisitic to be held this year given the challenges posed by COVID-19.

"Trying to get 16 countries into Australia, when most countries are still going through Covid spiking, is unrealistic, or will be very, very difficult," said Eddings.