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Dubai Cricket Stadium( Image Credit: Twitter)
The International Cricket Council has confirmed that the T20 World Cup will be staged in UAE due to the COVID-19 situation in India. The BCCI will remain the host of the event that will be played between October 17- November 14 across three stadiums - Dubai International Stadium, the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Sharjah Stadium, and the Oman Cricket Academy Ground.
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The first round will see Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland and Papua New Guinea competing. All the qualifying matches will be split between Oman and UAE. The four top teams will progress to the next round where they will join the top eight teams.
“ Our priority is to deliver the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 safely, in full and in its current window," said acting ICC CEO Geoff Allardice in a release. "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."
Also read: T20 Word Cup will be played in UAE, confirms BCCI secretary Jay Shah - Sky247 Blog
The BCCI secretary Jay Shah said BCCI took every possible step to stage the event in India in front of the fans but the prevailing pandemic situation in the country meant the health and safety of everyone concerned was at risk which is why the board decided to shift the tournament to UAE.
"The BCCI made every effort to stage the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India and provide its passionate fans with a reason to cheer after a long period of gloom. However, the prevailing pandemic situation in the country meant that the health and safety of everyone concerned was fraught with risk should a tournament of this stature is held across the country. The BCCI will continue to host the tournament, which will now be held in the UAE and Oman and work closely with the ICC to make it a memorable event."
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