Report: Sri Lanka Emerges As Potential Option To Host The 2021 T20 World Cup As BCCI Holds Preliminary Discussions With SLC

In the latest development, Sri Lanka has emerged as a potential venue for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup after reports surfaced that the BCCI is in talks with the SLC regarding the same.

This comes after a recent report surfaced which stated that the BCCI is in discussions with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) regarding the hosting of the quadrennial event in the month of October-November.

However, with as many as 31 IPL games set to be played in the UAE before the T20 World Cup, there is a real danger about the pitches in the Emirates getting tired by the time ICC T20 World Cup rolls around.

If the T20 World Cup does take place in the UAE, then Oman could be added as the fourth venue alongside Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has as many as three grounds in Colombo and several others in the rest of the island nation.

“See, there is no denying the fact that BCCI and ECB officials have been having discussions on taking the showpiece event to UAE with an eye on the COVID-19 situation in India. But, what also needs to be kept in mind here is that hosting the IPL would mean quite a few games, not to forget other tournaments or matches that might be held in some of the venues and tired wickets by the time of the World Cup,” ANI quoted a source in the know of the development.

“Keeping the playing conditions in mind, there have been some talks with SLC officials (on hosting the event in Sri Lanka) and just basic discussions, to be honest. Too early to get into the details, but we still have some time before we need to get back to the ICC to inform them on the situation as the BCCI will continue to have the hosting rights even if it is played outside India.” the source added.

BCCI will retain the hosting rights of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021

However, before that, the BCCI will have to submit the tax exemption guarantee to the ICC by June 15.

“First and foremost, the BCCI needs to submit the tax exemption guarantee by June 15, and things will start rolling one after the other with the Indian board also needing to inform the ICC by June 28 about the position with regards to hosting the event in the country,” the source added.

While a final decision on the host country will be decided later this month, the ICC has made it clear irrespective of which country stages the T20 World Cup, the BCCI will retain the hosting right.s

“A final decision on the host country will be taken later this month. The Board also confirmed that the BCCI will remain the hosts of the event regardless of where the event is played,” the ICC had stated in an official release.

Sri Lanka has immense experience in hosting an ICC event. While it co-hosted the 1996 and 2011 50-over World Cups, the 2012 T20 World Cup was solely hosted by the island nation.

Also Read: Top 10 Cricket Coaches With Highest Salaries In The Year 2021