T20 World Cup: ICC to announce World Cup groupings on Friday, will India draw Pakistan? Follow Live updates: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials will be visiting Oman and Dubai on July 16 and 17 to inspect the grounds and to discuss important issues regarding the T20 World Cup. As per Insidesport sources, groupings of ICC T20 World Cup will be announced on Friday. Will India draw with arch-rivals Pakistan- or it will be some other country like Australia? Follow us at insidesport.co to find out
In the previous edition, India and Pakistan were in the same group (B) along with New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh. Fans would be hoping for a repeat owing to the massive following of India vs Pakistan in the two countries and worldwide. The two countries usually play in ICC events and the ongoing political tussle between the two countries has become a roadblock for bilateral series in India, Pakistan.
The announcement will be made by BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah in presence of ICC officials at 3.30 PM, reported India Today
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has already confirmed that the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 will be staged in the UAE and Oman due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation in India. The BCCI will remain the hosts of the event, which will now be held in Dubai International Stadium, the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Sharjah Stadium, and the Oman Cricket Academy Ground, from October 17 to November 14.
T20 World Cup: ICC to announce World Cup groupings on Friday, will India draw Pakistan? Follow Live updates:
“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 ICC. ECB officials will also be there,” a source told ANI.
“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 source added.
The officials will also discuss the bio-bubble, teams accommodation and media permit during the coverage of the global ICC event.
T20 World Cup: ICC to announce World Cup groupings on Friday, will India draw Pakistan? Follow Live updates:
As per ICC release, a total of 16 teams will take part in the tournament.
Firs Round Qualifiers (Outside top 8 teams)
Sri Lanka, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Oman (Group A), Bangladesh, Scotland, Namibia and The Netherlands (Group B). (Top 4 will progress)
After the qualifiers, the Super 12 round will take place.
Super Eight Qualifiers
India, West Indies, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Afghanistan.
NOTE: The ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers and the full schedule might be released in next 48 hours.
The first round of the tournament, comprising the eight qualifying teams, will now be split between Oman and UAE. Four of these teams will then progress to the Super 12s round where they’ll join the eight automatic qualifiers.
The upcoming edition will be the first Men’s T20 World Cup played since 2016 when West Indies beat England in the final in India. The eight teams competing in the preliminary stage are Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Namibia, Oman, and Papua New Guinea, before the play-off stage and the final on November 14.
“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,” he added.
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