Sri Lanka might be in contention to host the proposed ICC World T20 in 2018 according foreign media reports on Wednesday.
ICC CEO, David Richardson confirmed their intention of staging an ICC World T20 in 2018 to ESPNCricinfo.com. “The 16-team event will most probably held in either South Africa, Sri Lanka or UAE. The ultimate decision on the proposed tournament will be taken by ICC broadcasting partner, Star. “ Richardson said.
ICC is confident of conducting the extra ICC World T20 in 2018 due to the immense success of the 2016 World T20 which was held earlier in the year in India where West Indies won the crown in a cracking final beating England.
In April, South Africa’s sports minister, Fikile Mbalula, imposed a sanction that Cricket South Africa will not be allowed to host or bid for any major international tournaments after failing to meet transformation guidelines.
England will host the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 while they are also gearing up to host the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019 and due to those two tournaments, England will not be a suitable candidate for the ICC World T20 in 2018.
“The broadcasters obviously want the matches to be played at times which are good for the broadcast market in India. But it probably won’t be India as we’ve just been there and the timing issue rules out West Indies, Australia and New Zealand. We’re currently unable to play in Pakistan, so that leaves Sri Lanka, South Africa or the UAE as the only options probably. It is too early for America.” Richardson further stated.
South Africa hosted the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007 while Sri Lanka successfully hosted the tournament in 2012.
