Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2021 Dates Revealed, SMAT 2021 Fixtures, and Dates.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2021: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday took the much-delayed decision on the conduction of the domestic circuit games. BCCI went with SMAT this time and mailed the respective state units to assemble in the bio-secure hubs.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2021 will be played from January 10 to 31 with all the safety precautions. All the participating sides will be asked to report to the bio-secure hub on 2nd January.
After releasing the itinerary for the much-awaited SMAT 2021, BCCI was questioned on when Ranji Trophy will be conducted. There has been no clear statement on Ranji Trophy Games while SMAT will go as per the schedule.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah said, “After having gone through the feedback and response received, I am delighted to announce to you that BCCI is planning to kick start the domestic Circuit 2020-21 with the scheduling of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament.”
“All the participating teams will have to assemble in their allotted hub by Saturday, 2nd January 2021. The tournament will begin from Sunday, January 10 and the final will be played on 31st January.”
The secretary of BCCI, Jay Shah said the decision on conducting Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy will be taken once the league stages of SMAT are done.
“The Board will subsequently seek feedback from the members on organizing any other domestic tournament after the group stages of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy,” he said.
“The members are requested to factor a subsequent tournament in their planning and make arrangements accordingly,” Shah wrote.
SMAT hint for IPL 2021:
Some cricketing Pundits feel the SMAT is the hint for the addition of the ninth or tenth team in IPL. However, it can be understood that IPL mega Auctions might take place. SMAT could be a scouting term for the franchises ahead of IPL 2021.
BCCI might be keen on conducting Vijay Hazare Trophy before Ranji Trophy as it will be concluded in the short time period of one month like SMAT.
ALSO READ: IPL 2021 Updates: Franchises likely to Demand for the Change in the Rules
ALSO READ: Babar Azam ruled out of the three T20Is against New Zealand due to fractured thumb
