ICC World T20 2021 to take place in UAE and Oman, confirms ICC
The 2021 ICC World T20 would be the seventh edition of the estimable Twenty20 global tournament, with Windies being the defending champion. The competition was scheduled to be held in India but has now been moved to the UAE and Oman.
FollowThe uncertainty surrounding the host nation for the ICC World T20 2021 has finally been laid to rest by the International Cricket Council. It has now been confirmed that the most honoured global Twenty 20 competition would now be held in the United Arab Emirates and Oman from October 17 to November 14, while the complete schedule would be announced in due course.
The tournament was initially supposed to be held by India. However, the current COVID situation in the country, followed by the predictability of a third wave during the tournament, along with the tax exemption headache from the Indian government, forced the competition to be moved out.
Nevertheless, the hosting rights continue to remain with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, organising the tournament in the gulf. However, Emirates Cricket Board and Oman CricketBoardwould be supporting and aiding BCCI in the smooth conduction of the competition. Along with the three venues in UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah), Oman’s Muscat will be the fourth venue.
“Our priority is to deliver the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 safely, in full and in its current window. Whilst we are incredibly disappointed not to be hosting the event in India, the decision gives us the certainty we need to stage the event in a country that is a proven international host of multi-team events in a bio-secure environment. We will work closely with the BCCI, the Emirates Cricket Board and Oman Cricket to ensure fans can enjoy a wonderful celebration of cricket,” said Geoff Allardice (ICC CEO) in a release.
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“The BCCI is looking forward to hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 tournament in UAE and Oman. We would have been happier hosting it in India, but considering the uncertainty due to the Covid 19 situation and the importance of a world championship, the BCCI will now continue to host this tournament in UAE and Oman. The BCCI is looking forward to creating a spectacle,” added Sourav Ganguly (BCCI President).
Before ICC, BCCI had already confirmed the same on Monday. Also, hosting the tournament in the UAE would be highly convenient for the BCCI since it would also be conducting the remainder of the 2021 Indian Premier League in the gulf, suspended last month following multiple COVID bubble breaches.
The WT20 is expected to begin just a couple of days after the IPL 2021 final. The initial few games of the tournament’s qualifiers would be held in Muscat, allowing enough time for the UAE pitches to freshen up before hosting the Super 12s.
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