Xtra Time Web Desk: International Cricket Council (ICC) is mulling hosting the entire T20 World Cup in Caribbean countries instead of USA. The turmoil in UAS Cricket could see the ICC holding the entire T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean. Another potential reason for ICC to re-think about possible shifting of the event could be the lack of proper facilities in the USA. The world cricket body is still hopeful the ongoing turmoil in USA cricket will be resolved.
Meanwhile, Cricket West Indies (CWI) is undertaking a thorough bid process for Caribbean countries wanting to host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled to be held in the West Indies and USA in June next year. Following the bid process the venues will be confirmed on 31 July 2023.
Geoff Allardice, CEO of ICC said: “We are delighted that the next edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will take place in the West Indies and the USA. Of course, the Caribbean is a region rich in cricket culture where fans can enjoy a carnival experience with a fine tradition of producing exciting and flamboyant cricketing stars across all formats of the game. All host countries play an important role in the provision of world class venues, training facilities and services for players and officials, with the upgrade of any facilities providing a lasting legacy for the game in the West Indies.”
Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI said: “This will be the most significant sports event held in the West Indies for a generation, helping us to unlock new commercial and economic growth opportunities for the ICC, CWI and our region as a whole”.
Countries have been required to demonstrate their ability to deliver a world-class venue and stage the matches by providing match and training facilities, undergo a venue inspection, provide immigration, customs, medical and security support, as well as other operational and logistical requirements including accommodation for the members of the teams, match officials and broadcast crew.
Caribbean nations that are contemplating submitting proposals to host ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 matches started on Wednesday 26 April. A small team will visit each country to look at facilities and discuss the pathway to becoming a host country. A similar process will also be followed to identify venues to host matches in USA.
Countries selected will have the opportunity to promote themselves to a global audience of over one billion people from all over the world. This tournament will also inject significant investment into the economy of each host nation.
The format of the tournament will see the 20 teams participating – with four groups of five teams in the first round. Each team will play one match against the other teams in the group. The top two teams from each group will move into the Super8s stage and these eight teams will be split into two groups of four with each team playing one match against the other teams in their group. The top two teams from each group of the Super8s will advance to the Semi-Finals with a chance to make the Final.
This is the second time that the West Indies will host the event, with the first time back in 2010. West Indies have won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on two occasions – in 2012 in Sri Lanka and 2016 in India.