MUMBAI: Cricket must be the only game in the world in which a World Cup draw is not shown live. Translated this means commercial considerations and NOT the luck of the draw determine into which groups the “big teams” are placed.
We will return to that. The International Cricket Council on Thursday announced the fixtures for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, scheduled to run from October 16 through to November 13. Sixteen international teams will clash in 45 matches as the pinnacle global event in men’s T20 cricket comes to Australia for the first time.
Coming back to considerations. Said considerations have ensured that in the Super 12 stage, two of world cricket’s biggest rivals – India and Pakistan – are clubbed together in the same group. What this ensures is that at least one game of the hottest selling match-up in world cricket is assured for all stakeholders with a financial stake in the proceedings (read host broadcaster Disney Star, host board Cricket Australia and the ICC itself).
The fixtures. Group 2 features India, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, plus the winner of Group B and runner-up in Group A from the First Round. Hosts Australia are in Group 1 with world number one England, New Zealand, Afghanistan plus the winner of Group A and the runner-up in Group B from the First Round.
THE big ticket game in the group phase – India taking on Pakistan – will be at the MCG, on Sunday, 23 October. It will be the first World Cup clash between the two nations at the MCG and comes ahead of Australia and England meeting at the same venue on Friday, 28 October.
The state-of-the-art Perth Stadium will host a huge Sunday double-header on Sunday 30 October with South Africa taking on India in the evening match. Earlier in the day, Pakistan will be in action against the runners-up from Group A.
The semi-finals will be played at the SCG and Adelaide Oval on 9 and 10 November, respectively. It will be the first time the Adelaide Oval will host a World Cup semi-final.
The MCG will host the T20 World Cup final, which will be contested under lights on 13 November.
Fans must register prior to 31 January to get the best chance of securing their seats, before tickets go on sale to the public on February 7.
Ticket pricing remains the same as the postponed 2020 event with children’s tickets available for every First Round and Super 12 match from $5, and adult tickets available at select matches in each host city from $20.
