T20 World Cup in UAE will be 'biggest sporting spectacle ever seen in region'- ICC
Within minutes of sales going live, supporters reported
being in queues of over an hour on the competition’s website.
Demand for the fixture between India and Pakistan in Dubai
on October 24 in likely to account for a sizeable amount of the interest.
Harbhajan Singh believes Abu Dhabi 'can host the next World
Cup itself'
Opening round matches, involving Asian giants Bangladesh and
Sri Lanka - plus qualifiers Oman, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Ireland, Namibia
and Netherlands, will start on October 17.
That is followed at 6pm at the Dubai International Stadium
by a repeat of the 2016 final, when England, cricket’s 50 over world champions,
face West Indies, the T20 World Cup holders.
“The biggest sporting spectacle to have ever taken place in the
region deserved to be played out in front of passionate cricket fans from all
16 nations competing, and we are doing everything possible to keep it safe for
all,” said Geoff Allardice, the acting chief executive of the ICC.
“It has been five years since the last men’s T20 World Cup
and we can’t wait for the world’s best players to arrive in Oman and the UAE
and showcase the very best of T20 cricket.”
Spectators have already been welcomed back for cricket in
the UAE in the recent past, in the shape of the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Capacities for the grounds have been capped for the IPL
fixtures in line with Covid safety measures, although even with the limited
availability, take up has been mixed.
Around 6,000 spectators witnessed the IPL’s resumption
between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians last month, which was the limit
permitted at the 25,000-seater stadium in Dubai.
However, not all fixtures have proved so popular. At the
start of the game between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad on
Sunday night, there were less than 200 spectators in the stands.
Matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi have been
around the 2,200-capacity limit for all its IPL fixtures so far.
When the World Cup starts, the stadium in the capital will
reopen its east and west mounds — the grass banks on either side of the field —
for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
The ground’s authorities will implement new “socially
distanced pods” of a maximum of four spectators on those banks.
Each of the UAE’s three venues, in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and
Dubai, “will be operating at approximately 70 per cent of maximum seated
capacity,” according to the ICC, with tickets starting at Dh30.
Jay Shah, the honorary secretary of the Board of Control for
India — who retain the hosting rights for the competition, even though it is
being staged in UAE and Oman — said he expects an influx of supporters from
abroad for the tournament.
“I am delighted that the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be
played in front of cheering fans both in the UAE and Oman,” Shah said in a
statement.
“My sincere thanks to the government of the UAE and Oman for
paving the way for fans to return. The anticipation for the World Cup, which is
taking place after five years, is building with each passing day.
“I am sure we will have fans coming from different parts of
the world to support their team. The vibe they will create will boost the
performances on the field.
“The ticket sales have started, and I urge everyone to stay
safe and follow the health advisories and savour the experience.”
By Paul Radley
Source TheNational
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