The organizers of the ICC T20 World Cup have confirmed that the stadiums in the UAE will operate at 70% capacity. The capital of Muscat and numerous coastal areas of Oman were struck by Tropical Cyclone Shaheen. This occurred just a week before the preliminary matches of the competition, which will begin from 10th October.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday confirmed that only 3000 fans would be allowed to accommodate at Al Amerat on Sunday. Although the dangerous cyclone left streets in the Omani capital underwater, it was announced by the officials for evacuations from coastal regions and also about delayed flights to the country.
Although the event was moved to the Gulf states as a result of the COVID-19 rise in India, the BCCI remains the event organizer for the 16-team competition.
The ICC announced in a statement that the BCCI and itself had operated thoroughly with host authorities to guarantee that the fans are welcomed in a safe atmosphere and Covid-19 protocols are practised at all venues. “The T20 World Cup is the largest sporting event to be held in the region and it will be the biggest global cricket event since the pandemic with fans in stadia,” the ICC said. “In the UAE all venues will be operating at approximately 70% of maximum seated capacity, whilst Abu Dhabi has also introduced new socially distanced ‘pods’ of a maximum of 4 spectators on their east and west grass mounds,” it said.
Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will be the host for the competition along with Dubai, which will conduct the final on November 14.
The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) is currently being hosted in the UAE with limited fans only.