Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Twenty20 World Cup to be played in UAE from October 17, report

Twenty20 World Cup to be played in UAE from October 17, report
Pramod Thomas
By Pramod ThomasJun 26, 2021
Pramod Thomas
Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
See Full Bio
Follow:

THIS year's Twenty20 World Cup is set to be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the Covid-19 situation in India, Indian cricket board sources told Reuters on Saturday (26).

The pandemic swept the world's second-most populous nation last year, resulting in a lengthy shutdown.

Infections have rocketed again in another wave this year as the country scrambles to curb a more transmissible variant of the virus, hitting plans to ease lockdown measures.

India's official total for infections has risen to more than 30.18 million, with 394,493 deaths.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the local organisers for the 16-team tournament, was forced to suspend the Indian Premier League in May as cases surged in the country.

The remaining matches of the world's richest T20 league were moved to the UAE, where it was also held last year, and will be completed ahead of the World Cup, which is scheduled to start from mid-October.

"Even if we go ahead and host the World Cup in the safest possible manner, some countries might ban travel to India in view of the third wave (of coronavirus infections). That makes the whole thing untenable," a board source, who did not want to be identified, told Reuters.

"A decision will be taken in the next couple of days and will be conveyed to the International Cricket Council."

Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI chief and former India captain, told Reuters in a text message that a final decision had yet to be made. The ICC did not want to comment.

UAE, which has international standard cricket grounds in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, has been the preferred venue for both India and Pakistan to stage the final leg of their domestic T20 leagues this year.

Abu Dhabi hosted the remaining 20 matches of the Pakistan Super League, including Thursday's final, after the Pakistan Cricket Board was forced to suspend the league in March.

World governing body ICC had set a June 28 deadline for the BCCI to take a decision on hosting the tournament. The Indian board will retain hosting rights for the event regardless of where the tournament is played.

Cricket website ESPNcricinfo.com reported that the World Cup will kick off from October 17 in UAE.

The first round of the T20 World Cup is expected to be played in the UAE and Oman and will be contested between eight lower-ranked teams, four of whom will join the top eight sides for the Super 12 stage.

bccitwenty20 world cupiccsourav ganguly

Related News

Monsoon floods kill hundreds in Pakistan, many still trapped
News

Monsoon floods kill hundreds in Pakistan, many still trapped

More For You

Bella Ramsey eyes Spider-Man role while planning another project with Pedro Pascal

Bella Ramsey says they could be the next Spider-Man

Getty Images

Bella Ramsey eyes Spider-Man role while planning another project with Pedro Pascal

Highlights

  • Bella Ramsey hints at wanting to play Spider-Man in a future Marvel project.
  • The Last of Us star suggests making a heist film with Pedro Pascal after Joel’s exit.
  • Ramsey reveals they only recently watched Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man.
  • Season 3 of The Last of Us is yet to begin filming, with no scripts in hand.

Bella Ramsey, widely celebrated for their role as Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us, has expressed interest in stepping into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Speaking at the HBO Emmys nominees event in Hollywood, the Emmy-nominated actor revealed that they would “love” to take on the role of Spider-Man, joking that Marvel might need to create a brand-new superhero for them.

“I could be Spider-Man,” Ramsey said, while praising Tom Holland’s portrayal of Peter Parker. “Tom did a great job, though. So maybe they do need to make a new superhero for me.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Ian McKellen Hints Gandalf and Frodo Will Appear in Andy Serkis’ ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’

Ian McKellen hints at Gandalf’s return during the Lord of the Rings panel in London

Getty Images/Newsbytes Screengrab

Ian McKellen Hints Gandalf and Frodo Will Appear in Andy Serkis’ ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’

Highlights:

  • Ian McKellen teased that Gandalf and Frodo will appear in Andy Serkis’ upcoming film The Hunt for Gollum.
  • McKellen made the revelation during a The Lord of the Rings panel at the For the Love of Fantasy convention in London.
  • Elijah Wood was also present, sparking speculation about his return as Frodo.
  • The film, produced by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, is set to release on 17 December 2027.

Sir Ian McKellen has raised excitement among The Lord of the Rings fans by suggesting that Gandalf and Frodo will feature in The Hunt for Gollum, the next Middle-earth film from Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema. Speaking during a panel at the For the Love of Fantasy convention in London, McKellen told fans that the film “has a character called Frodo and another called Gandalf,” before adding, “Apart from that, my lips are sealed.”

Although McKellen stopped short of confirming that he or Elijah Wood will reprise their roles, Wood’s presence at the same event, alongside co-stars Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, and John Rhys-Davies, has fuelled speculation about an on-screen reunion.

Keep ReadingShow less
Terence Stamp

From Swinging London to Priscilla: 10 moments that defined Terence Stamp

Getty Images

From Cannes to Krypton: Terence Stamp’s 10 career milestones

Highlights

  • Oscar-nominated debut in Billy Budd (1962)
  • Immortalised as General Zod in Superman (1978 & 1980)
  • Career revival in The Hit (1984)
  • Missed iconic roles like James Bond and Alfie
  • Final performance in Last Night in Soho (2021)

Terence Stamp never played life safely. He wasn’t the sort of actor who coasted on charm or looks, though he had both in abundance. Instead, he kept disappearing and reappearing, reinventing himself each time, with roles that felt daring, unsettling, or quietly revolutionary. He could have been a matinée idol forever, but that would’ve been boring. Stamp preferred to be unpredictable.

Terence Stamp 10 unforgettable roles that made Terence Stamp a legendGetty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Bad Omens 2025 tour

Bad Omens announce 2025 tour dates including London Alexandra Palace

Instagram/mddnco

Bad Omens set for biggest ever UK and Europe arena tour in 2025 with The Ghost Inside and Bilmuri

Highlights:

  • Bad Omens confirm 13-city Do You Feel Love tour across the UK and Europe in late 2025
  • London’s Alexandra Palace, Manchester Co-op Live, and Dublin 3Arena among the venues
  • Support from The Ghost Inside and Bilmuri throughout the run
  • Tickets on general sale from Friday, 22 August at 10am via badomensofficial.com

Metalcore powerhouse Bad Omens have announced a major UK and European arena tour for late 2025, marking their biggest run of shows on this side of the Atlantic to date. The Virginia quartet will bring their Do You Feel Love tour to 13 cities between November and December, with stops in Dublin, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Paris, Berlin, and more.

The tour follows the release of their haunting new single Specter, the band’s first new track since their 2022 album The Death of Peace of Mind and 2024’s Concrete Jungle (The OST) project. Frontman Noah Sebastian, who co-directed the cinematic video for Specter alongside Nico, described the new era as “a darker, more immersive chapter” for the band.

Keep ReadingShow less
Roma Riaz
British Pakistani finalist Roma Riaz says she is fighting beauty stereotypes and girls’ illiteracy through Miss Universe Pakistan
Instagram/_romariaz/asiaburrillweddings

British Pakistani finalist Roma Riaz says she is fighting beauty stereotypes and girls’ illiteracy through Miss Universe Pakistan

Highlights:

  • Roma Riaz, a Miss Universe Pakistan 2025 finalist, has surged to number one on the “Universal Radiance” ranking.
  • In a candid interview, she described entering the pageant as an answer to people who questioned her identity.
  • Her platform focuses on representation and tackling female illiteracy in Pakistan.
  • Voting for the ranking was promoted on Instagram; supporters were urged to vote at missuniversepakistan.1voting.com.

Roma Riaz is not just another beauty queen hopeful, she is a British-Pakistani woman who has turned self-doubt into strength and made space for herself on an international stage. One of the first Pakistanis to walk at Copenhagen Fashion Week, she is now a Miss Universe Pakistan finalist determined to use her platform to push for representation and girls’ education. Speaking to Eastern Eye, Roma Riaz opened up about the push from family, the grind behind the glamour, and why representation, especially for darker-skinned Pakistani women, matters to her.

Roma Riaz Roma Riaz shares how her family pushed her to chase the Miss Universe dreamInstagram/_romariaz/asiaburrillweddings

Keep ReadingShow less
© Copyright 2025 Garavi Gujarat Publications Ltd & Asian Media Group USA Inc
Contact Us