ICC T20 World Cup 2021 is slated to be held in UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14.
The showpiece tournament was earlier supposed to take place in India but the BCCI decided to shift it outside the country, citing the safety of players and other stakeholders amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Indian board still holds the hosting rights for the T20 World Cup and the governing body is likely to allot six games of the first round of the marquee event to Muscat, Oman, Cricbuzz reported on Saturday (July 31).
Notably, first round of the tournament will see the qualifying event taking place, where four of the eight teams will ensure their progression to the main event. A total of 8 teams have already qualified for the main round while 4 more will join them from the qualifiers, making it a total of 12.
The eight teams vying for a spot in the main round are – Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Namibia, Oman, and Papua New Guinea.
For Round 1, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands and Namibia are part of Group A whilst Oman, PNG and Scotland will face Bangladesh in Group B.
According to Cricbuzz, six league matches of Group B could take place in Muscat and Oman Cricket Academy Ground is being considered as the venue for the fixtures.
"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," BCCI secretary Jay Shah had said while launching the tournament in Muscat earlier this month.
In a ceremony held in Oman last month, ICC had announced the draws of the T20 World Cup 2021, as per which, defending champions West Indies are slotted in Group 1 alongside England, Australia, South Africa and the two qualifiers from Round 1.
On the other hand, arch-rivals India and Pakistan feature in Group 2 along with New Zealand, Afghanistan and the two qualifiers from Round 1.