The 2020 edition of the Everest Premier League, Nepal’s domestic franchise T20 tournament, has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The tournament was set to be played from March 14 to March 28 but has been postponed following consultations between the Nepalese government, the franchises, the Cricket Association of Nepal, sponsors, players and other stakeholders.

A press statement from the EPL said that due to “the government of Nepal’s request to refrain from organising mass gatherings to avoid possible transmission of COVID-19, EPL family has decided to postpone the event”.

The statement added that the tournament will look to be rescheduled “at the closest possible time whenever the situation is favourable”.

There has been one confirmed case of coronavirus in Nepal. The virus has led to over 3,000 fatalities across the world. 

“We are naturally all sad at today’s announcement of having to temporarily postpone the 2020 EPL, but we simply have to put the health and well-being of all Nepalis and our overseas players before everything else,” said Aamir Akhtar, the founder and managing director of the EPL.

“It was crucial that we announced this decision now at the earliest possible juncture to ensure the minimum possible disruption to all of our stakeholders, who are integral parts of the ongoing success and growth of the league. We would like to thank the Government of Nepal for their support and counsel through this challenging period, and we support entirely the professional advice throughout.”

Details regarding the rescheduling of the tournament will be announced in due course.