ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Sri Lanka in fray to host the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Here is another twist to the marquee ICC tournament as India’s current Covid situation remains the same. Now, Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the top contenders to host the ICC T20 World Cup, which was originally scheduled to be hosted in India.
The Board of Control for Cricket in Indian (BCCI) had earlier asked the ICC to provide them with a month’s time to take a wise call whether India could host the event or it needs to be shifted somewhere else.
A couple of officials in the recent joint meeting of the ICC raised sharp questions on the safety of the players who will travel to India for the World Cup if it happens in India. The officials argued that if the BCCI is not able to host the eight teams IPL in India, how can they prepare for the 16 teams affair.
A few days ago, it was learnt that the Indian cricket board has internally informed the ICC to begin its preparations for the same as the board is not willing to schedule the 16-teams competition in the country.
It was expected that the preliminary games of the World Cup will be scheduled in Oman’s capital Muscat to give UAE’s pitches time to breathe, relax and freshen up while the latter stages of the World Cup will go ahead in the UAE.
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BCCI in talks with Sri Lanka Cricket to host T20 World Cup:
However, now Sri Lanka has entered the pool for hosting the T20 World Cup.
“See, there is no denying the fact that BCCI and Emirates Cricket Board (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,” a source was quoted as saying, as reported by Sportskeeda.
The official further informed that these are just initial talks with Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) and it will be too early to predict anything.
“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.”
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