T20 World Cup 2021: Oman likely to host six matches of first round

The T20 World Cup is set to take place in October-November this year. Though India are the hosts of the tournament, it will be played in the UAE and Oman due to COVID situation in the country. The schedule of the mega event is expected to be announced soon. The BCCI held a meeting in Delhi where the viability of holding matches in Oman was discussed.

Oman is also qualified for the World Cup and the team is clubbed with Bangladesh, Scotland and Papua New Guinea in Group B for the first round. And if the reports in Cricbuzz are to be believed, the BCCI is planning to give hosting rights of all six matches of the Group B to Oman. Oman Cricket Academy Ground is being considered as the only venue in Oman for the tournament.

As far as Group A is concerned, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands and Namibia will fight it out to make it to the Super 12. All the matches of this group A might be played in Abu Dhabi which hosts its last IPL match on October 8 and will get enough time in between for the pitches to get ready.

"I am particularly delighted to be in Oman. As a major force in world cricket, the BCCI has always endeavoured to promote and assist Associate Nations. In my capacity as Asian Cricket Council President, my vision is to take cricket far and deep into Asia. Co-hosting the World Cup will put Oman Cricket on the global stage. They are also playing the Qualifiers and it will be an icing on the cake if they make it to the Super 12s," the BCCI secretary Jay Shah had said last month while launching the T20 World Cup.

Even though the schedule is not announced yet, the first round is likely to be played from October 17 to 22 while the Super 12 round will commence on the next day itself.