Reports: T20 World Cup 2021 likely to be played in the UAE from October 17, final on November 14

The ICC T20 Men’s World Cup is set to commence from October 17 in the UAE, only two days after the Indian Premier League 2021 final currently scheduled on October 15. The suspended edition of the IPL has been confirmed by the BCCI to be held in the UAE from September 19 after it was to be postponed in May this year due to a spate of Covid-19 cases. 

As for the 16-team T20 World Cup, reports in the ESPNcricinfo confirm that the BCCI is yet to get in touch with the ICC about shifting the tournament to the UAE, however, the steps in that direction have been taken by the board keeping in mind the Covid-19 situation in India. 

Oman, UAE to co-host first of the two rounds of T20 World Cup 

As it stands, the current plan is to split the tournament across two groups with fixtures to be held in UAE and Oman. The first round, set to have 12 fixtures, will comprise eight teams, namely Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Namibia, Oman, Papua New Guinea. Four of these eight will qualify for the Super 12s. 

The Super 12s, scheduled to start from October 24, will have 30 fixtures in all, where the teams will play in groups of six each at three venues (Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah), followed by the semi-finals and the final. While the Super12 phase is understood to be held entirely in the UAE, it is the first round which Oman will co-host, ensuring for the BCCI sufficient time to maintain the pitches in the UAE for the subsequent Super12s.

Notably, India has been given a June 30 deadline by the ICC to confirm its preparation and planning regarding the hosting of the T20 World Cup. While the Covid situation has been improving in the nation by the day, a likely arrival of the third wave in the months scheduled for the tournament and the increasing cases of the Delta variant weakens India’s chances to host the tournament.

Having suffered a setback earlier this year during the IPL, it remains highly unlikely that the BCCI would push for India to play hosts, given the tournament has as many as 16 nations involved. Regardless of where the tournament is hosted, the ICC has previously confirmed BCCI to be the hosts.