NEW DELHI: The high-profile Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament, which was scheduled to be held at various venues in India in October, is likely to be shifted to South Africa due to logistical problems.
The decision to shift the tournament out of India was taken at the CLT20’s governing council meeting in Chennai on Sunday. The GC also decided to include Mumbai Indians as the fourth Indian team in the eight-team tournament which will see for the first time the participation of a Pakistani side.
The decision is expected to be ratified at another GC meeting to be held in Kuala Lumpur on June 26 on the sidelines of the ICC annual conference.
A top BCCI source said the reasons for shifting the tournament to South Africa range from monsoon to Durga Puja celebrations that will coincide with the event, the dates of which are yet to be finalised.
“Kolkata is not in a position to hold any of the matches because of Durga Puja during that time. Many of the Southern venues will get monsoon showers which will affect the matches,” the source said.
“South Africa has been sounded out and they will give their final decision soon. Once we get their response, we will shift the tournament to South Africa,” the source said. (PTI)
