Published: Mar 01, 2013, 10:01 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 01, 2013, 10:01 PM (IST)
The new trimmed schedule will have a maximum of 14 days of international cricket against the 21 originally planned in the FTP © Getty Images
New Delhi: Mar 1, 2013
India‘s full tour of New Zealand early next year could be trimmed to two Tests, two ODIs and two T20 Internationals to accommodate the Asia Cup cricket tournament, according to a report.
The ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) has India scheduled to play three Tests, five ODIs and a single T20 International in February-March, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wanted to trim down the tour to host the Asia Cup around that time.
According to ‘Cricinfo’, the new trimmed schedule will have a maximum of 14 days of international cricket against the 21 originally planned in the FTP, though no formal agreement has been reached between the two boards yet.
The report said that Nimbus, the owners of NEO, which has bagged the broadcast rights of the tour, was made aware of a possible change in the original itinerary for the New Zealand tour. The Asia Cup will also be broadcast by NEO.
Nimbus announced two days ago that it would broadcast to India all international cricket from New Zealand till 2020.
For New Zealand Cricket (NZC) though, it is a matter of relief that there would be no cancellation of the tour because of India’s tight schedule, the report said.
There was concern over the tour being called off but several months of negotiations between the two Boards — including one-on-ones at ICC meetings — ensured an amicable arrangement for all parties.
It is, however, not yet known if the BCCI will compensate the NZC for trimming down the tour, the report said.
