THIS year’s Global T20 (GT20) Canada, which was set to be played in Malaysia between June and July, has been cancelled according to a statement on Cricket Canada website.
The statement was contained in a report by Cricket Canada’s president Rashpal Bajwa at the recent Annul General Meeting.
According to Bajwa, “It’s very unfortunate that this year’s edition of Global T20 is cancelled. Cricket had an understanding with the Malaysian Cricket Association to host the tournament. Due to rising COVID-19 numbers in Malaysia it was deemed necessary to cancel this year’s edition of GT20.”
Bajwa pointed out that “some of the negotiated highlights were higher salaries for the Canadian players; exposure to some developing players from the region the teams are based in, and team owners to have player development programmes in their home province.” Earlier, because of the travel and health restrictions currently in place, there was considerable uncertainty as to whether this year’s tournament could be held in Canada as scheduled, hence the decision to have it moved to Malaysia.

Commenting on the previous decision to move the tournament, which was made jointly by Cricket Canada, the Malaysian Cricket Association and the tournament’s owners Bombay Sports, Cricket Canada Bajwa said: “Cricketers and fans of cricket within Canada will naturally be disappointed that this year’s third edition of our world class GT20 tournament cannot be held in Canada due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Canadian health guidelines.
“Cricket Canada, however, understands and fully supports our health authorities. We are also very positive in looking forward to hosting the tournament in Canada, once the pandemic is sufficiently ended and the safety of all concerned can be assured.

“In the interim we are now very excited to share with all Canadians and cricket-lovers across the world that our good friends at the Malaysian Cricket Association have stepped up to help us host this year’s GT20 Season Three.”
Owned and managed by Bombay Sports Co, Ltd, GT20 is currently North America’s only annual professional tournament. The GT20 League features six teams, each composed of ten international cricketers from ICC full and associate member nations and including two world renowned marquee players.
GT20’s first two Seasons played in Toronto during the 2018 and 2019 summer months attracted some of global cricket’s very best T20 players. Chris Gayle, Yuvraj Singh. Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, David Warner, Steve Smith, Brendon McCullum, Thisara Perera, Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine were among the many world renowned T20 players who participated in GT20’s first two seasons. (Frederick Halley)