T20 World Cup 2021 to be shifted from India to UAE: Sourav Ganguly

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that the upcoming T20 World Cup has been shifted from India to UAE. The prevailing situation of COVID-19 and the possibility of the third wave of the virus later in the year could be the reasons for the same. Even the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) had to be suspended mid-way after COVID cases inside the bubble.

The International Cricket Council was earlier set to make the decision on the T20 World Cup in the first week of June. However, the BCCI asked for four weeks’ time to think on the matter and have eventually decided to shift the mega event to the UAE owing to the COVID-19 situation.

“We have officially intimated the ICC that the T20 World Cup can be shifted to the United Arab Emirates. The details are being chalked out,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by Times Now on Monday.

T20 World Cup to be played from October 17

Meanwhile, a few days ago, the dates for the showpiece event were confirmed. The T20 World Cup is set to commence on October 17 and will go on until November 15. Also, even though it will be played in the UAE, BCCI will hold the hosting rights for the competition.

The schedule is yet to be announce for the tournament even as the dates are also yet to be released officially. With IPL 2021 likely to take place from September 19 to October 15, there are chances that the first round of matches could be played in Oman. As far as the format of the T20 WC is concerned, eight teams – Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Namibia, Oman, Papua New Guinea – will face-off in the first round.

Four of these teams will make it to the Super 12 round which is scheduled to start from October 24. In this round, the teams will be divided into two groups of six each. The matches of the mega event will be played across three venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.