While the 14th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) approaches its conclusion, the UAE is preparing to host the much-anticipated T20 World Cup 2021. From October 17 to 22, 8 teams will compete in the qualification rounds. The top 8 teams have already qualified for the Super 12 level, and these teams will get into the rhythm with warm-up games.
The calendar has been released, and the games will be played exclusively on 2 days, October 18 and 20, with 4 games on each day. Each team will play 2 games in the run-up to the Super 12 round, which begins on October 23.
Team India, captained by Virat Kohli, will play warm-up games against England and Australia, which is favorable considering the calibre of both teams. Before playing their archrivals in the Super 12 phase, Pakistan will face the defending champions West Indies & South Africa.
India will battle against Australia and England
Australia will also tackle New Zealand in their other warm-up match, whereas England’s other warm-up would be a repetition of the World Cup 2019 final. In total, 8 games are scheduled over 2 days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As of now, it is known that, in addition to the main event, Star Sports will broadcast India’s warm-up games beginning October 17.
However, the Super 12 round should begin with a match involving Australia and South Africa, followed by a match between both the 2016 T20 World Cup champions, England and West Indies, on the very same day. The scale of games being contested in the UAE now meantime is amazing, and one hopes that the fields will survive until the conclusion of the major tournament.
Schedule of the warm-up matches T20 World Cup 2021 :
October 18, Monday – Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Match 1 – Afghanistan vs South Africa – 3:30 PM IST
Match 2 – New Zealand vs Australia -7:30 PM IST
October 18, Monday – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Match 3 – Pakistan vs West Indies – 3:30 PM IST
Match 4 – India vs England – 7:30 PM IST
October 20, Tuesday – Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Match 5 – England vs New Zealand – 3:30 PM IST
Match 6 – South Africa vs Pakistan – 7:30 PM IST
October 20, Tuesday – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Match 7 – India vs Australia – 3:30 PM IST
Match 8 – Afghanistan vs West Indies – 7:30 PM IST