T20 World Cup postponed to 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic

Tournament will now be played in Australia in October and November next year

KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL - APRIL 03: The West Indies lift the ICC World T20 trophy after winning the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 Final between England and the West Indies at Eden Gardens on April 3, 2016 in Kolkata, India. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Show less

The 2020 T20 World Cup, which had been due to take place in Australia in October and November, has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have undertaken a comprehensive and complex contingency planning exercise,” Manu Sawhney, the ICC chief executive, said.

“Through this process, our No 1 priority has been to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in the sport.

“The decision to postpone the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was taken after careful consideration of all of the options available to us.

"[It] gives us the best possible opportunity of delivering two safe and successful T20 World Cups for fans around the world.”

The competition will now be scheduled in the same October-November window in 2021. As a consequence, the next T20 World Cup will be played at a similar time of the year in 2022.

The 50-over World Cup in India will be moved back, to the October-November slot in 2023.

“Our members now have the clarity they need around event windows to enable them to reschedule lost bilateral and domestic cricket,” Sawhney said.

“Moving the Men’s Cricket World Cup to a later window is a critical element of this and gives us a better chance of maintaining the integrity of the qualification process.

“This additional time will be used to reschedule games that might be lost because of the pandemic ensuring qualification can be decided on the field of play.

“Throughout this process we have worked closely with our key stakeholders including governments, members, broadcasters, partners and medical experts to enable us to reach a collective decision for the good of the game and our fans.”

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2014 IPL held in UAE

Fans cheer Mumbai Indians against Kolkata Knight Riders during their opening IPL match in Abu Dhabi in April 2014. Ravindranath K / The National

Glenn Maxwell in action for Kings XI Punjab against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Part of the 2014 edition was held in the UAE as India was in the midst of elections. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal became a star with Royal Challengers Bangalore before making a name for himself as an India player. Pawan Singh / The National

Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem, in IPL action at Abu Dhabi in 2014, continues to knock on the Indian selection committee's doors. Ravindranath K / The National

Kolkata paceman Morne Morkel in action against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi. The South African took 1-40. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Kolkata captain Gautam Gambhir enjoyed his outing against Mumbai Indians at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

The IPL proved to be a hit throughout the country, judging by fan numbers at the stadiums. Pawan Singh / The National

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The decisions could have a significant impact on the game in the UAE.

The national team have already started the qualification process for the 2023 World Cup.

They are in fifth place in Cricket World Cup League Two, having played three games less than leaders Oman, and five less than second-placed United States.

That competition will require some substantial rescheduling, however.

The UAE have had two tri-series postponed because of the pandemic, and already had one other match outstanding.

Their last match in Oman in January was postponed due to the country mourning the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

More immediately, calling off this year’s T20 World Cup could have sizeable ramifications for the game in the Emirates.

It now seems likely the Indian Premier League will be switched to the UAE, with dates from September till the start of November mooted.

The Pakistan Super League organisers are also considering November for the rescheduled playoff stage of their competition.

That could be played in UAE, either just before or just after the Abu Dhabi T10 League, which is scheduled from November 19 to 28.