After successfully hosting the Covid-hit PSL and IPL, the UAE is all set to organise the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, as it is officially called. The tournament, scheduled in October-November this year, is being shifted from India – the world’s second most pandemic-affected country where the Delta variant of the coronavirus is still not under control. The Indian cricket board has made an official announcement about the shifting of the world event to the UAE. According to an Indian board official, the qualifiers may take place in Oman while the rest of the matches will be at three UAE venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Indian cricket board delayed what was an inevitable decision given the serious Covid crisis in the world’s second most populous country, and only informed the ICC about its readiness to move the event to the UAE just a couple of days before the end-of-June deadline. The hosting rights of the event will, however, remain with India. While the decision may not suit the Indian cricket authorities, it’s indeed in the interest of cricket and all those associated with the sport in any capacity – be it the players, the officials, the broadcasters, the support staff, or the fans.
As has been witnessed in the case of the PSL and IPL, the holding of the T20 World Cup in the UAE would mean an event free from interruptions in a true bio-secure environment. It’s true to say that the UAE has become a preferred destination for cricket, especially in the times of Covid-19. Initially it was Sharjah, one of the seven emirates of the UAE, which rose to global fame for hosting international cricket carnivals in the 80s and 90s. But later, Dubai, another emirate, grabbed the sporting limelight and hosted many international matches. And now, Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, has also joined the list. And all that because of the world class sporting facilities as well as a most modern infrastructure and peace and security that the country offers.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2021.
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