Oman Looking To Co-Host T20 World Cup 2021

Oman Cricket Board has thrown their hats for the contender for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 along with the UAE. Though the original hosting rights are with India for the ICC tournament, the current COVID-19 situation has made ICC keep an alternate and backup venue ready and UAE are the frontrunners for the same.

Though the BCCI had requested more time to gauge the situation in India and the situation is vastly improving as the cases have come down to less than 1.50 lakh per day from more than 4 lakh a couple of months ago.

However, according to reports, ICC has decided to move the tournament out of India and host it in the UAE. According to a senior board official, Oman has been added as the fourth venue. The ICC has made it clear that the BCCI will continue to remain the hosts of the championship, irrespective of where it’s held.

Oman Potential Hosts For The 16-Team Preliminary Round Of T20 World Cup 2021

Previously it was reported that the ICC had added Oman as the fourth venue apart from the three ground in the UAE- Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai. Oman has two grounds with the Oman Cricket Academy Ground 1 was confirmed for use as a Test venue and was to host a Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe earlier this year.

Cricbuzz has learnt that the Oman Cricket officials, including its head Pankaj Khimji, have had a meeting with the officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Dubai recently. Oman is expected to host the preliminary tournament consisting of 16 teams. An ICC Director told Cricbuzz that the idea was “definitely suggested” during the Executive Board meeting although nothing has been finalized yet.

In the first round of the T20 World Cup, eight qualifying teams — Sri Lanka, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Oman, Bangladesh, Namibia, Netherlands, and Scotland — will play the first round between October 18 and 23 before the Super 12 stage begins on October 24.

The top four teams from this first round will qualify for the Super 12 stage for which India, Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand, West Indies, and Afghanistan have directly qualified.

Also Read: Report: ICC T20 World Cup Set To Be Moved Out Of India; Oman Added As The 4th Venue