ICC advises relocation of T20 World Cup from India to UAE and Oman
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has advised that this year’s Twenty20 World Cup will be moved from India to the United Arab Emirates and Oman as a result of the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India will remain the host of the event, which will be played from 17th October to 14th November at four venues: the Dubai International Stadium, the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Sharjah Stadium and the Oman Cricket Academy Ground.
With the 2020 edition of the tournament, due to have been staged in Australia, postponed to 2022, India’s ability to host this year’s World Cup was put in doubt in May when the Indian Premier League was postponed, and then relocated to the UAE, after several players tested positive for the Coronavirus.
The ICC’s moves follows the BCCI having earlier stated its intention for the event to be relocated.
In an email to members reported by ESPNcricinfo, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly stated “it was not an easy decision and we mulled over it for months, constantly keeping an eye on the COVID-19 situation all along.
“However, with the second wave (of Coronavirus) causing such devastation, the decision ultimately boiled down to the safety and well-being of the players and organisers. Although vaccination in the country is going at breakneck speed, there are reports of a third wave and different variants which we cannot ignore.”
Explaining the move, ICC acting Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice stated “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.”
The T20 World Cup has not been held since India hosted the event in 2016.
Image: The ICC Twenty20 World Cup. Credit: ICC.
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