After a brief hiatus, the T20 fever has returned to enthrall cricket fans around the globe. The biggest cricket event is making its way to North America. From June 1 to June 29, 20 countries will compete in the ICC Men's Twenty20 World Cup 2024, which will be hosted by the United States and the West Indies. Here's a detailed look at what to expect at this highly anticipated event.
Which Teams Have Qualified for the T20 World Cup?
For the first time, the T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams, an increase from the 16 teams in the 2022 edition. The top eight teams from the previous edition and the two host nations, the USA and West Indies, earned direct entry into the tournament. Additionally, Afghanistan and Bangladesh secured their spots based on their ICC T20 rankings as of November 2022. The remaining six teams earned their places through regional qualification tournaments held across the Americas, Africa, Asia, Asia Pacific, and Europe. Notably, the USA, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda will make their debut at an ICC World Cup.
Will There Be an Opening Ceremony?
Although the ICC has not confirmed the official line-up for the opening ceremony, there has been an extensive promotion for a pre-match event on June 2, when co-hosts West Indies play Papua New Guinea in Guyana at 10:30 am local time (14:30 GMT). The first match of the tournament will see the USA facing Canada on June 1 at 7:30 pm local time (00:30 GMT) in Dallas.
What Are the Formats and Schedule of the T20 World Cup?
The tournament will be divided into two group-based rounds and a knockout round, starting with the semifinals.
♦ Group Stage: June 1 to 17
The 20 teams are divided into four groups of five. In this round-robin stage, each team will play against the other teams in their group. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight.
♦ Super Eight: June 18 to 25
In the Super Eight phase, the eight advancing teams will be divided into two groups of four. Each team will play against the other teams in their group. The top two teams from each group will then move on to the semifinals.
♦ Semifinals: June 26 and 27
The top two teams from each Super Eight group will face off in the semifinals.
♦ Final: June 29
The winners of the semifinals will compete in the final to be crowned the T20 World Cup champions.
T20 World Cup Groups
Group Stage Groups:
► Group A: India, Pakistan, Ireland, USA, Canada
► Group B: Australia, England, Namibia, Scotland, Oman
► Group C: Afghanistan, New Zealand, West Indies, Papua New Guinea, Uganda
► Group D: Bangladesh, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Netherlands
Super Eight Groups:
► Group 1: A1, C1, B2, D2
► Group 2: B1, D1, A2, C2
Which Teams Are Favourites to Win the T20 World Cup?
Several teams are being touted as favorites to win the T20 World Cup. These include India, Australia, England, the West Indies, and Pakistan. Each of these teams has a strong track record in T20 cricket and boasts several world-class players.
Where Will the Matches Be Played?
The tournament will be held at nine venues across the USA and the West Indies. In the USA, matches will take place in New York, Texas, and Florida, with New York hosting eight matches, including the marquee India vs Pakistan clash. In the West Indies, six Caribbean nations will host 39 matches: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
What Are the Rules for Ties, Super Overs, and Rain Delays?
Here are the key rules to be aware of:
► Tied Matches: All tied matches will proceed to a super over. If the super over is also tied, subsequent super overs will be played until a winner is determined.
► Weather Delays: If a match is delayed due to weather conditions or other interruptions, each team must complete at least five overs for a result to be declared in the group stage and Super Eight.
► Semifinals and Final: Both the semifinals and the final have additional time allocated to ensure completion in case of delays. The final also has a reserve day scheduled for Sunday, June 30, in case it cannot be completed on June 29.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be an exciting and historic tournament, bringing the thrill of T20 cricket to new audiences in North America. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the sport, this event is sure to deliver unforgettable moments and high-stakes action.
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