The ICC T20 World Cup is set to begin on October 17 – that is just two days after IPL The final – in the United Arab Emirates and will end with the big final on November 1,4, said a report in ESPN Cricinfo. UAE will have a busy schedule as it will not only host the remainder of IPL 2021, but will also host the T20 World Cup. Meanwhile IPL starts from 19th September and ends on 15th October which means big tournament starts within 48 hours of IPL final.
Though BCCI has not yet officially informed the ICC about anything, it has got the ball rolling especially in terms of planning the tournament. The first round of the tournament will be divided into two groups and will be held in UAE and Oman.
The report further stated: “Round 1 will consist of 12 matches, involving eight teams, out of which four (the top two from each group) will qualify for the Super 12. Four of the eight teams – Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Namibia, Oman, Papua New Guinea – will then advance to the Super 12, joining the top eight ranked T20I teams.
“The Super 12s phase, consisting of 30 matches, is scheduled to begin on October 24. The Super 12s, where teams will be divided into two groups of six each, will be played at three venues in the United Arab Emirates – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. . This will be followed by three playoff matches – two semi-finals and the final.”
With the first round being co-hosted by a venue from the United Arab Emirates and Oman, the BCCI is sure that it will prepare a new pitch in the UAE before the Super 12. Earlier a BCCI official told PTI that the board had informed the ICC about India’s inability to host the T20 World Cup ‘internally’.
While the UAE was always the first back-up option, Oman’s capital Muscat has been added as the fourth venue for the tournament, in addition to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. “Yes, BCCI has sought a window of four weeks to formally take a final call, during the ICC Board meeting, but internally, they have said that they would like to keep the hosting rights and have no objection to the tournament taking place. Will be Held in the United Arab Emirates and Oman,” a senior board official aware of developments in the ICC Board told PTI on condition of anonymity.
(with PTI inputs)
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