The ICC has confirmed that the ICC World T20 will be played in the UAE but it will be three days after the potential end of the IPL which will also be held there.
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It is finally confirmed. The International Cricket Council has confirmed that the World T20 will be held in the UAE. The venues will be Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai and the all-new Oman Cricket Academy in Muscat. The announcement is merely a declaration of what the world knew. In the aftermath of IPL 2021 being suspended midway due to the coronavirus pandemic, doubts were been expressed over India been able to host the ICC World T20.
When BCCI officials met the ICC in May, it was the first sign that the tournament would shift. The BCCI made the announcement that the IPL will be held in the UAE. The ICC made it clear that the country would be the back-up venue for the World T20.
However, the IPL dates are not clear. The ICC has said the tournament will be hosted between October 17 and November 14. Thus, with the IPL and World T20 being played back-to-back, there is a real danger that the pitches in the UAE might become sluggish.
The ICC has assured that the main pitches that will host the World T20 matches will get enough rest. On Tuesday, the ICC confirmed that Round 1 comprising eight teams will be split in two groups. The two groups will be split between one of the venues in the UAE and Oman. Four teams from this lot will then progress to the Super 12s, joining the top eight ranked T20I teams.
The Super 12s, where teams will be split across two groups of six each, will be played at three venues in the UAE – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. This will be followed by three playoff games – the two semi-finals and the final.
The BCCI and ICC both expressed disappointment that the tournament will not be held in India. However, both acknowledged the uncertainty of hosting the event in India at a time when India is preparing for a potential third wave.
The question around when the IPL 2021 might resume could soon get clarity. The tour to England ends on September 14. There are reports that the IPL might be held from September 19 with the final on October 14.
This is taking into account the quarantine time that is needed for the players to come from United Kingdom to Dubai. There will be many Indian players coming from India who might serve out their quarantine in the UAE and then resume their action on the field. There is no certainty that the foreign players might come to the second half of the IPL.
England’s players will be on foreign duty to Bangladesh and Pakistan. The tour to Pakistan will be their first in 16 years. Australia’s players have also expressed their uncertainty of once again living in a bio-bubble for months ahead of the all-important Ashes in November-December. With foreign player participation, uncertain, it remains to be seen how the IPL 2021 will go ahead. It is possible that West Indies and South Africa players might be picked in batches to represent the franchises.
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