The next T20I World Cup is scheduled to be played next year 2024. It was announced by the International Cricket Council that it will be the first-ever International cricket tournament to be played in the United States of America.
West Indies and the USA are the combined hosts of the upcoming T20I World Cup. Though things are not looking great for both of the hosts.
Why are hosts likely to be swapped?
With only twelve months to spare from the world cup, ICC is dissatisfied with the infrastructure in the USA. ICC also believes that it’s close to impossible to achieve the standard infrastructure.
It was also reported that broadcasters had issues with the timezone, their argument was three countries in South Asia watch cricket the most, and there is almost a 12-hour difference in the timezone, which may dry up our profits.
But ICC solved the matter by saying that the time of the matches will be scheduled considering the time slot of India and Pakistan.
Right now, there are only two stadiums in the USA, which have International ODI status, Central Broward Regional Park and Moosa Stadium. Hosting a tournament like the T20I World Cup requires a lot more resources than the USA currently offers.
New hosts?
According to Arfa Feroz Zake, a prominent sports reporter, England is likely to emerge as the new host. There is a behind it unlike other countries England can host cricket matches in June -July courtesy of its dynamic weather.
However, it’s worth mentioning that it will be a swap. Swap between the 2024 T20I World Cup and the 2030 T20I World Cup. England was supposed to be the host of the 2030 T20I World Cup, but due to the bad infrastructure for cricket in the USA, ICC is planning to give the USA more time to get their infrastructure to a level where a World Cup can be possible.
Will the USA be granted direct qualification?
When a country hosts a tournament according to the ICC it will have a direct qualification. ICC announced when announcing the host of the T20I World Cup that the USA will have direct reach to the tournament.
But hang on a second if there is a swap now, will it stay as it is?
Well since qualifiers have commenced now, I don’t think there will be a change in it. The USA will play in the 2024 T20I World Cup, no matter which country hosts it now.
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