Nepal's Everest Premier League, scheduled to begin on March 14, has been called off because of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 3,000 people around the world.

The epic spread of the coronavirus throughout the world has hit hard the sporting calendars around the globe with many events have been postponed and doubts hang over the holding of the the global showpiece event Olympics to be hosted by Japan in Tokyo.

The fourth edition of the Twenty20 league had signed West Indies batting star Chris Gayle, with Afghanistan's Mohammad Shahzad and Sri Lankan batsman Upul Tharanga also due to take part.

"It was a tough decision, but the right one. We have to consider the risks and put the health of our audiences and our players before everything else," league managing director Aamir Akhtar told AFP.

Now Neaplese cricket fans have to wait longer to see the most explosive batsman of the shortest format of the game in action in their grounds.