New Zealand has not offered to host IPL 2020: NZC spokesperson

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has refuted reports that it has offered to host the now-postponed Indian Premier League this year, terming the reports as “speculation“.

NZC spokesperson Richard Boock said the cricket board has not expressed its interest to host the IPL, which was to be held in March this year but was postponed indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This rumour is inaccurate. New Zealand would not be in a position to host the IPL — even if we were asked, which we haven’t been. The dates, and NZC’s commitment to honouring its Future Tours programme, means the timing would not allow this to happen,” Boock told PTI.

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Boock’s statement comes days after a BCCI official stated that New Zealand has joined UAE and Sri Lanka in the race to host this year’s IPL if it is shifted out of India.

The BCCI has been waiting for the ICC's decision on the men's T20 World Cup, which is slated for October-November, in Australia but is likely to be postponed.

If the IPL is taken out of the country, it will be the second such instance. the 2009 edition was hosted by South Africa because of the general elections in India.