Zaheer Abbas says cricket will never be the same post COVID-19

ISLAMABAD: Asian Bradman Zaheer Abbas said he believed cricket would never be the same again post COVID-19 after restrictions will be imposed.

“Of course, it will not be the same. But they should go and play because it will at least be good for their fitness and there will be some action,” Abbas was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

“They (Players) have been away from the game for a while, so how they will fare – is something that will be on their mind. Even if they play in empty grounds, they will be fully prepared (mentally). They also know that is just happening for the time being, and there will soon be a time when the fans will be back in the stands,” he said.

In a bid to keep the players motivated, some of the associations – including the Pakistan Cricket Board – have been organising online sessions with former cricketers and Abbas calls it a welcome move.

“At least, they are trying to keep the players busy somehow or the other. They have already told the players what to do, in terms of exercises and other fitness drills. Now there will be no excuses that players weren’t told what to do in these months. So, players should be fit,” Abbas said.

“In a way, it is also good that they are not playing cricket because it is a much-needed rest from a heavy schedule. They hardly get time to rest and this is the first time (in many years) that they are not playing cricket for a long time. Sometimes, rest is also required.”

Abbas said if the COVID-19 pandemic situation improves then Pakistan could travel to England for even a ‘reduced’ series.

The former ICC president was optimistic that if things improve, Pakistan could travel to England for three Tests and three Twenty20s – scheduled to begin on July 30.

“There is still a 50-50 chance. If things improve and if the government feels that the situation is under control and its safe for teams to travel, then Pakistan may go ahead with its tour to England. It could be a smaller affair, but at least things will start somewhere,” Abbas said.

As per the original schedule, Pakistan is to play a three-Test series against England at the end of July, followed by a three-match T20 series, ending on September 2.

“The games should start if the coronavirus is under control and the deaths are not increasing. Even if they don’t allow the crowd to come to the ground, the game will be watched by people on television all over the world. In such times, it will actually give people something to talk about. It will be a motivation for other countries, too, to start cricket,” Abbas said.

“The boards are losing money, and if things improve and the series begins, there could be at least some cricket. But of course, it all depends on how the situation pans out over the next couple of months,” he said.

With its domestic cricket season largely affected and The Hundred postponed, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is hoping to resume international cricket by July, with back-to-back series against the West Indies and Pakistan.

Obviously, there is not much clarity yet on whether the tournaments would start as per schedule. But Abbas believes that even if the series against Pakistan happens, the spectators may have to stay away from the ground.

“It’s not ideal. But the boards are losing money, so if the action resumes (even without crowd), at least some money will come in (through television rights). At the moment, it’s very unpredictable. You don’t know what will happen, but I think this is what the England cricket board will try to do,” the cricketing legend said.

“With lockdown, more people will watch the games on television all over the world — be it the Pakistanis, the English fans, or the cricket enthusiasts across the globe,” he said.