/betbarter/media/agency_attachments/3YXcMKaocLoKtpo5Mw2o.png)
/betbarter/media/post_banners/20Acwhw5KT0iV3r2edsq.jpg)
BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has selected nine different venues to host the upcoming T20 World Cup. The mega event is scheduled to take place in October-November. Nine outlets - Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Dharamshala, Ahmedabad and Lucknow, have reportedly been confirmed by the BCCI. The T20 World Cup this year will see the entry of three new locations Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Chennai and Hyderabad. These four venues had not hosted the games in the 2016 edition of the T20 World Cup held in India. The final of the T20 World Cup 2021 will be held at the newly constructed Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Considering the Covid times, it remains to be seen if the ICC spreads the event across nine venues as it would require frequent travel and setting up bio-bubbles. Moreover, the International Cricket Council also stated that lesser venues would be more cost-effective during the Covid times. They further added that teams, too, might not be preferring constant travel before matches. It is also known that the governing body will also present a Plan B to the ICC if the coronavirus situation doesn't improve in India. Plan B is likely to involve keeping the venues to not more than four. However, this will be decided at a later stage.
Indian government to grant visa approvals to the Pakistan cricketers
The BCCI has also guaranteed that the Indian government is going to grant visa approvals to the Pakistan cricketers for their participation in the mega event. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has informed the Apex Council about the government's decision on giving visas to the Pakistan cricketers. Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board Chief, Ehsan Mani, had reckoned that if they don't get a written assurance from the officials, then they would urge ICC to shift the competition away from India. However, with approval from the government, Pakistan will be allowed to participate in the upcoming 7th edition of the tournament.
ICC T20 World Cup 2021 was eventually planned to be played last year in Australia. However, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the competition was postponed. ICC T20 World Cup 2021 is the seventh edition of the tournament. WI are the defending champions as they conquered England by four wickets in the final of ICC T20 World Cup 2016.