The 2021 edition of the ICC T20 WC is all set to happen in the United Arab Emirates and Oman from October 17 onwards. There are 16 teams in the competition, namely India, Namibia, Oman, Netherlands, Ireland, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Australia, South Africa, England, West Indies, Afghanistan, New Zealand and Pakistan.
There are two phases in this competition, the first one will be co-hosted by Oman and the UAE. It will be the qualifying round featuring Namibia, Oman, Netherlands, Ireland, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea and Scotland. The eight nations have been split into two groups of four each. Every team will play against their group member once. The two teams with the most number of points will book a place in the Super 12.
Will fans be allowed inside stadiums for ICC T20 WC 2021?
The ICC T20 World Cup 2021 is the biggest event of the year, and as mentioned ahead, four teams will join the Super 12 phase. The Super 12 phase has 12 teams, with two groups of six teams each. The top two nations from both groups will progress to the semifinals, with the winners of those games playing for the trophy in the grand finale.
Fans from across the world are excited to witness the global tournament live at the stadium. However, the question is will the fans be allowed inside the stadiums for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many tournament organizers to conduct sports events behind closed doors. Recently, the Olympics happened in the same way. But ICC has plans to bring fans back to the stadiums for the T20 WC.
Stadiums in the UAE will be filled up to 70 per cent capacity
According to Reuters, the three venues in the UAE – Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah will allow fans up to 70% capacity, while matches in Oman will have a 30% crowd. The board is also planning to have special social distancing pods this year. Here’s what ICC said:
“In the UAE, all venues will be operating at approximately 70 per cent of maximum seated capacity, whilst Abu Dhabi has also introduced new socially distanced ‘pods’ of a maximum of four spectators on their east and west grass mounds.”
