MUSCAT: The first stage of Twenty 20 World Cup get underway on Sunday (today) between co-host Oman and Papua New Guinea in the humble surroundings of Al Amerat, Muscat.
The seventh edition of the event begins with a double-header at the 3,000-seat venue outside Muscat as later on Sunday, Bangladesh faces off against Scotland. Ireland, Namibia, Netherlands and 2010 champions Sri Lanka will join on Monday. The eight teams in the first round of qualifying are chasing four places in the Super 12 round-robin stage.
England, Australia, South Africa, defending champions West Indies, India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Afghanistan will be waiting with all matches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The global event was originally scheduled to take place in Australia and then India before being pulled out of both countries by COVID-19 pandemic.
The top four will then progress to the semi-finals before the final in Dubai on November 14. There is plenty at stake for the teams having to qualify. A place in the next round guarantees a spot in the 2022 T2
Less than an hour to go before the action gets underway at the #T20WorldCup ????
How excited are you? pic.twitter.com/Z4uAEeanmY
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 17, 2021
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There is also a financial incentive as teams exiting at the first hurdle take home a modest $40,000 (34,500 euros) with the same amount awarded for each victory. The eventual champions pocket a $1.6 million winner’s cheque.
Oman are playing in their second T20 World Cup having shocked Ireland at the 2016 tournament. Their team is made up almost exclusively of semi-professional South Asian expatriates who combine cricket with full-time work.
Papua New Guinea are making their T20 World Cup debut. They have already acclimatised to conditions and have been in Oman for a month. “It is really a proud moment for me and the boys,” said PNG skipper Assad Vala.
Bangladesh have just one victory at the tournament since 2007 but with a world ranking of six, will be heavily fancied to make the second round. They enter the tournament with home series wins over Australia, New Zealand and Zimbabwe under their belts.
Scotland have fallen at the first hurdle in their three previous T20 World Cup appearances, in 2007, 2009 and 2016. They claimed their first and only win at the tournament five years ago — an eight-wicket triumph in a rain-affected match against lowly Hong Kong.
Oman have won the toss and will bowl in the opening match of the ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup 2021 ???? pic.twitter.com/MUZ1W8SRum
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 17, 2021
The top nations will join the event played in stadiums 70% full capacity on October 23, with Australia and South Africa meeting in the opener of the Super 12 stage and England up against West Indies.
England beat New Zealand to win the 50-over title at Lord’s in 2019. Morgan’s team will, however, be without Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, who played key roles in their one-day World Cup triumph.
The defending champion West Indies will be back led by Kieron Pollard and old warhorses Dwayne Bravo, 38, and 42-year-old Chris Gayle.
India will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 24 with Virat Kohli looking to go out with a bang before stepping down as captain of the T20 side.
New Zealand, led by Kane Williamson, will also be eyeing two successive world crowns after they won the inaugural Test championship, beating India in the final in June.
