BCCI has confirmed that T20 WC 2021 will be held in the United Arab Emirates(UAE) if the COVID-19 crisis continues at the scheduled time of it occurrence.
T20 WC 2021 in UAE
One of the major attractions for India this year is the T20 World Cup slated for October-November this year.
Before the second wave hit India, BCCI had zeroed in venues for the T20 World Cup. Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Dharamsala, Ahmedabad and Lucknow.
“The nine venues have been informed and it was again discussed that preparations should continue for the showpiece event with an eye on the Covid-19 situation and a call will only be taken closer to the event.
It is too early to imagine what can or will happen in October-November with regards to the coronavirus situation. But preparations shall be on,” a BCCI source had told ANI a fortnight back.
Owing to the ongoing spike in the coronavirus issue India prepares the backup plan to host the T20 World Cup 2021. Though BCCI claims that they cannot confirm the future arrangement based on the present situation they still comes up with a plan B.
“It would be the UAE,” Malhotra, who is the BCCI’s General Manager of Game Development, told the BBC’s Stumped podcast.
“We’re hoping again that it would be done by the BCCI. So, we’ll take the tournament there, but it’ll still be done by the BCCI. “I’ve just been named one of the tournament directors, so I’m doing everything we can to make sure it happens (in India).
“We will be doing the normal scenario, COVID scenario, and worst-case scenario, so with all that we’re talking to the ICC at the moment.
“As of now, we are targeting and looking at ticket sales and people travelling from all over the world. But again, we don’t know what the situation will be at that point in time (in October).”
The UAE proved its ability to stage a major T20 tournament by hosting last year’s Indian Premier League(IPL 2020), holding 60 matches at just three venues – in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah – in a little more than seven weeks, all in a bio-secure bubble.
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