NEW DELHI, June 29: The International Cricket Council on Tuesday confirmed the dates of the T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2021 to be held from October 17 to November 14. The Board of Control for Cricket in India had on Monday announced that due to the on-going pandemic situation the T20 World Cup had been shifted from India to the United Arab Emirates and Oman but had left the tournament days open. Despite shifting to the UAE, India would continue to be the host of the tournament.
The ICC in its official release said the tournament, which was originally set to be staged in India, will now be played in four venues — Dubai International Stadium, the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Sharjah Stadium, and the Oman Cricket Academy Ground from October 17 to November 14. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will remain as hosts of the marquee event,” the ICC confirmed.
“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,” ICC acting CEO Geoff Allardyce was quoted as saying in the release.
“The BCCI is looking forward to hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 tournament in UAE and Oman,” BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said.
“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,” he added.
“Emirates Cricket Board is honoured that the BCCI and the ICC have entrusted us with staging and delivering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The UAE’s reputation as being a safe country in which to host high-profile sporting events is a strong compliment to our government’s unwavering commitment to implementing and monitoring effective health practices during the pandemic,” Emirates Cricket Board Vice President Khalid Al Zarooni 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 Cricket Chairman, Pankaj Khimji said.
The UAE hosted the 2020 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and will also host the remainder of IPL 2021, which was suspended after a surge of Covid cases in the tournament’s bio-bubble.
(Manas Dasgupta)