MUMBAI: Star Sports will telecast the first edition of Global T20 Canada, to be held from June 28 – July 15. The league features six teams including the Cricket West Indies B team.
Matches will be broadcast live on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD and Hotstar. Fans can catch all the highlights on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2 and Hotstar.
The tournament begins with the match between Toronto Nationals and Vancouver Knights. It has attracted major broadcast partners in other parts of the world as well such as Fox Sports in Australia and Orbit Showtime Network in the UAE.
According to the official league website, the schedule includes matches spread across two rounds and playoffs. Matches in the first round, to be played from June 28 to July 8, will be in a round-robin format with each team playing every other team once, for a total of 15 matches. Through the first two rounds, teams will earn two points for a win and zero points for a loss. Only the top four teams advance to the playoffs.
“The schedule provides many opportunities for fans from all over to see many of cricket’s star players, and plan their day around Global T20 Canada,” said Jason Harper, GT20 Canada League tournament director.
“Creating a strong fan experience is paramount and will help build a strong foundation for the league going forward.”
Ranjit Saini, president of Cricket Canada hopes that it matches the standards of the IPL and Big Bash. “Global T20 Canada marks the first time a nation with associate member status is launching a league – a major step forward in cricket’s global development.
“Canadian cricket fans will have a great opportunity to see up close many of the world’s greatest players, and I’d like to thank International Cricket Council, CWI and the international cricket community for their guidance and support in growing cricket in Canada.”
Launched last month after signing a 25-year commercial rights agreement with Indian sports management firm Mercuri Group, the tournament will have top international T20 players such as Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Shahid Afridi, Darren Sammy, Lasith Malinga, David Warner, Steve Smith, Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, David Miller and Dwayne Bravo in the fray.
