New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday confirmed that Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 will be held in UAE and Oman, due to ongoing Covid-19 situation in India.
BCCI will however remain hosts of the event. The first round of the tournament, comprising the eight qualifying teams, will now be split between Oman and UAE. Four of these teams will then progress to the Super 12s round where they’ll join the eight automatic qualifiers.
The eight teams competing in the preliminary stage are Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Namibia, Oman, and Papua New Guinea, before the play-off stage and the Final on November 14.
ICC CEO Geoff Allardice in a release, “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.”
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said: “The BCCI made every effort to stage the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and provide its passionate fans with a reason to cheer after a long period of gloom. However, the prevailing pandemic situation in the country meant that the health and safety of everyone concerned was fraught with risk should a tournament of this stature is held across the country. The BCCI will continue to host the tournament, which will now be held in the UAE and Oman and work closely with the ICC to make it a memorable event.”
Vice President of the Emirates Cricket Board, Khalid Al Zarooni said: “Emirates Cricket Board is honoured that the BCCI (Board of Cricket Control India) and the ICC (International Cricket Council) have entrusted us with staging and delivering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Oman Cricket Chairman Pankaj Khimji said, “It is indeed a great moment for Oman Cricket to be selected as a venue/host of the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. We shall leave no stone unturned to exceed the requirements of BCCI and ICC. Oman will certainly extend a very warm welcome to all the teams, officials and media in October.”
ICC T20 World Cup 2021 Teams
Below are the 16 teams participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. These are the same team qualified for T20 World Cup 2020 based on the team ranking and qualifying matches.
1. India
2. Pakistan
3. Australia
4. England
5. South Africa
6. New Zealand
7. West Indies
8. Afghanistan
9. Sri Lanka
10. Bangladesh
11. Netherlands
12. Papua New Guinea
13. Ireland
14. Namibia
15. Scotland
16. Oman
ICC T20 World Cup History:
2007: India defeated Pakistan in Johannesburg, South Africa
2009: Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka in London, UK
2010: England defeated Australia in Bridgetown, West Indies
2012: West Indies defeated Sri Lanka in Colombo
2014: Sri Lanka thrashed India in Dhaka, Bangladesh
2016: West Indies thrashed England in Kolkata, India
2020: Match was scheduled to held in Australia but got postponed due to Covid-19
