ICC has announced changes to the semi-final schedule for the ongoing T20 World Cup. The revised plan includes specific conditions for where the knockout matches will be played.
According to the ICC, the venues for the semi-finals will depend on which teams qualify after the Super Eight stage. The cricket body shared the updated schedule with stakeholders once the Super Eight matches concluded.
Officials said the first semi-final could be played either in Colombo or Kolkata. The final decision will depend on the teams that reach the semi-finals.
The ICC explained that if Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will play the first semi-final in Colombo. The match is scheduled to take place on March 4.
However, if Pakistan fail to qualify but Sri Lanka reach the semi-finals, the venue conditions will change slightly. If Sri Lanka are drawn against a team other than India, the first semi-final will still be played in Colombo.
The ICC clarified that Sri Lanka would host the match in that situation regardless of the opposing team. This arrangement ensures the host nation gets the opportunity to play at home during the knockout stage.
In another scenario, if neither Pakistan nor Sri Lanka qualify for the semi-finals, the venue will shift. The first semi-final would then take place in Kolkata instead of Colombo.
The ICC confirmed that the second semi-final will be played in Mumbai under these circumstances. The schedule adjustment allows flexibility based on team qualification results.
The governing body also addressed the situation involving India. According to the ICC, if India reach the semi-finals, they are expected to play their match in Mumbai.
However, there is one exception to this rule. If India and Pakistan face each other in a semi-final match, the game will be moved to Colombo instead of Mumbai.
The updated plan highlights the ICC’s efforts to manage scheduling and venue arrangements fairly during the tournament’s final stage. Officials said the goal is to ensure smooth organization of the knockout matches.
Cricket fans around the world are closely watching the Super Eight stage to see which teams qualify. The results will determine where the semi-final matches are ultimately played.
In other news read more about: Pakistan Post 165 Against England in Crucial Super Eight T20 World Cup Clash
With these new arrangements, the ICC hopes to maintain balance in scheduling while accommodating the teams and host cities involved in the tournament’s final phase.
