With the T20 World Cup only a few months away, the BCCI want to get started with the preparations straightaway. The ICC’s marquee event and T20 cricket’s biggest competition is all set to be held for the first time since the 2016 edition in India.
The competition which used to be held every two years was pushed for a 4-year gap in 2017, like the 50-over World Cup and was scheduled to take place last year in Australia. Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the event was pushed to 2021 and India was named the host. As a result of the ongoing pandemic, the venue had to be further changed to the UAE and Oman. Along with the major tournament, these two venues will stage the 8-team qualifiers as well.
According to a report, the BCCI officials will be in Oman and Dubai this weekend to review the preparations and inspect the facilities for staging the global event.
On this note, a senior BCCI official spoke to the media on Thursday and said, “We are going to Oman tomorrow, we will be visiting the venue and also will discuss the travel plan of teams as Qualifiers are to be held there, the day after tomorrow will be in Dubai to have a meeting with the ICC. The ECB officials will also be there.”
There are quite a few things to be addressed including the accommodations for all the participating teams, procurement of a bio-secure bubble and also the media facilities for all the journalists and editors present at the venues, as it is a global event.
The official further added, “We do not want to leave any stone unturned due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s why everything will be taken care of Bio bubble, training, accommodation are some issues that need to be discussed. We Will also discuss whether media will be allowed or not.”
The major tournament is scheduled to be held at three-venue (Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah) in the UAE. While the qualifiers preceding the major event has been divided between the UAE and Oman.
The acting ICC CEO Geoff Allardice conveyed his thoughts on the staging of this global ICC event and said, “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.”