Asia XI vs World XI matches postponed amid coronavirus fears
Virat Kohli
With the novel coronavirus spreading like wildfire, many sporting events have taken a hit.
With several football matches being played behind closed doors and Serie A (Italy) getting suspended until April 3, there are question marks over the other upcoming sporting events like Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.
AlsoRead - Coronavirus effect on India-South Africa ODIs: The saliva conundrum for Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Ahead of the cash-rich tournament, the cricketing world has been dealt with a major as the two matches between World XI and Asia XI matches that were scheduled to mark the birthday celebrations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is regarded as the "father of Bangaldesh", has been 'deferred' until further notice.
The two matches between Asia XI and World XI were set to be held on March 21 and 22 in Dhaka with plethora of top cricketers gearing up to participate in the highly-anticipated event. However, the matches stand 'deferred' due to coronavirus outbreak and could be held after a month if the situation improves.
Some of the biggest names in the world of cricket like Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, Lasith Malinga and KL Rahul, among others were named to participate in the World XI and Asia XI matches, the postponement of the matches come as a massive blow to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) when it comes to investment and pre-match preparations such as sponsorship deals. The matches were given international status by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
BCB president Nazmul Hasan on Wednesday confirmed that the Asia XI and World XI matches on March 21 and 22 have been deferred until further notice.
BCB has further confirmed the postponement of the AR Rahman concert which was set to be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium as a part of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birth centenary celebrations.
"We could have held the concert in a small scale but decided against it," Hassan said while adding, "it will not take place on March 18, and the March 21 and 22 matches are also causing concern. There's no guarantee that those who are supposed to play will be able to arrive, or can leave after the matches. There are a lot of restrictions, so we have deferred both programmes. We will organise after a month taking stock of the situation. It is postponed for the time being."
However, the Dhaka Premier League, which is Bangladesh's premier domestic 50-over tournament, will go on as scheduled as it does not attract large crowds. However, as per several reports, the Dhaka Premier League matches have been shifted from BKSP from Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.