The most awaited tournament of the year, ICC T20 World Cup has been shifted to UAE. Though India currently witnessing a downward trend, health experts have predicted a third wave in India in September-October. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said that the BCCI will inform the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday, June 28, that the T20 World Cup is being shifted to the UAE.
The BCCI had sought time from the ICC till June 28 to take a final call on hosting the T20 World Cup. The remaining matches of IPL 2021 are also to be played in the UAE itself. BCCI would not like to take any chance as it is still bearing the losses after suspending IPL at the halfway stage in May due to the second wave.
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"We will inform the International Cricket Council today that we are shifting T20 World Cup to UAE. Dates will be decided by the ICC": BCCI Secretary Jay Shah told ANI.
According to reports, the T20 World Cup can most likely start from October 17 and the final match of the tournament will be played on November 14.
The remaining 31 matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) are to be played in the UAE itself before the T20 World Cup. The second phase of IPL 2021 will start from September 19 and the final match will be played on October 15.
This year's IPL was postponed on May 4 after Covid-19 case surfaced inside the IPL bio bubble. Even in the year 2020, IPL was played in the UAE itself. Before the postponement of IPL 2021, 29 matches were played in India. The remaining 31 matches will be played in the UAE from September 15.