Keypoints:
- The T20 World Cup was originally scheduled to be held in India but for now, tentatively, it will be held in the UAE between October 17 and November 14.
- In the next meeting, the Indian Cricket Board will inform the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the decision to shift the 16-nation tournament to the UAE.
The much awaited T20 World Cup is likely to begin on October 17 this year in the UAE with the final being held on November 14. In the next meeting, the Indian Cricket Board will inform the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the decision to shift the 16-nation tournament to the UAE. Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai are the three venues in the UAE which will host the T20 World Cup games with Oman hosting the qualifiers.
The T20 was all set to be held in India but two issues came in its way; first is that the BCCI did not get any tax exemption from the government of India. The BCCI was not sure about how keen the international players would be to return to India after the suspension of the IPL due to the Covid cases in the bio bubble.
A few weeks ago, a virtual meet was held between all state associations in which the board members were informed by the BCCI office bearers that by shifting the T20 World Cup to the UAE, the board will be saving around 41% of the total earnings. The board would have to pay hefty tax if the T20 World Cup was held in India.
In 2016, the BCCI had not received tax exemption when the T20 World Cup was hosted.
It was already planned by the BCCI to keep the UAE as backup with Oman to host the qualifiers. Last month, the board had blocked hotel rooms and in conjunction with ICC had approached the Oman Cricket Board to come on board.
The T20 World Cup is taking place just after the IPL to which the BCCI feels that the players transit will be way easier if it is hosted in the UAE. Quarantine issues will not be for the players who will be joining their respective national teams later.
