The fixtures for the ICC World T20 2021 have been announced with India taking on Pakistan in a mega encounter on October 24.
Follow Us
The fixtures of the ICC World T20 2021 have been announced by the International Cricket Council. For Indian cricket fans, they need to mark October 24 as the biggest day in their sporting calendar. It is on this day at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium that India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan at 7:30 PM IST. It is one of the marquee clashes in the ICC World T20 2021. The ICC World T20 2021 was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was supposed to be held in India but due to the COVID-19 situation, it will be held in the UAE.
India and Pakistan are part of the Super 12 stage of the tournament. Before that, the qualifying rounds will take place from October 17 to October 22. The opening matches of the ICC World T20 2021 will see Australia taking on South Africa on October 23 in Abu Dhabi while England will take on West Indies on the same day in Dubai.
India and Pakistan have clashed frequently in the ICC World T20. In 2007, the two teams played out an absolute thriller. The first game in Durban saw India winning the match on a bowl-out. The two teams clashed in the final of the 2007 ICC World T20 and Misbah-ul-Haq’s mistimed scoop saw India win the match and the inaugural title by five runs.
India and Pakistan have clashed in the ICC World T20 contests in 2012, 2014, and 2016. India has emerged victorious in all the competitions. In ODI World Cups and World T20s, India hold a 12-0 advantage against Pakistan. It is in the ICC Champions Trophy that Pakistan has a 2-3 advantage.
India is in Group 2 in the ICC World T20. This involves Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan with potentially Bangladesh joining them along with Ireland. West Indies, the two-time ICC World T20 champions, are in a group that has Australia, South Africa, and England.
India vs Pakistan, October 24, Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Time: 7:30 PM IST
India vs New Zealand, October 31, Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Time: 7:30 PM IST
India vs Afghanistan, November 3, Sheikh Zayed International Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Time: 7:30 PM IST
India vs B1, November 5, Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Time: 7:30 PM IST
India vs A2, November 8, Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Time: 7:30 PM IST
The semi-finals will take place on November 10 and November 11 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Both the semi-finals have reserve days. The final will be held in Dubai on November 14. November 15 is the reserve day. The chances of rain in the UAE are very minimal but the ICC has decided to not take any chances.
However, there is a major question mark on whether Afghanistan will participate in the ICC World T20 2021. The country is over-run by the Taliban. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, two of Afghanistan cricket’s superstars, have appealed to the world to not turn a blind eye at Afghanistan cricket. The Taliban have encouraged cricket and have said they have no objections about the game.
In the event of Afghanistan not participating, India’s group might have to undergo some changes. Afghanistan started participating in the ICC World T20 in 2010 and they have been a regular since then.
Rishabh Pant's explosive last-over blitz ignites IPL 2024 amid T20 World Cup comeback talks
