The schedule for the much-awaited T20 World Cup is finally announced. The action kickstarts in mid-October, just a few days after the Indian Premier League.
Although the ‘real action’ begins from October 23, the first week of the competition will see the Group matches where the likes of Oman, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, Ireland, and others will try to reach the main draw.
Oman, Papua New Guinea to Start the Proceedings
The qualifiers are split into two groups of four – Group A (Ireland, Namibia, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka) and Group B (Bangladesh, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Scotland).
Group A matches will be hosted in Muscat, Oman while Group B games will be played in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
Oman and Papua New Guinea will play the first match of the T20 World Cup.
| Date & Time (IST) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 17, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Oman vs Papua New Guinea | Muscat |
| October 17, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Bangladesh vs Scotland | Muscat |
| October 18, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Ireland vs the Netherlands | Abu Dhabi |
| October 18, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Sri Lanka vs Namibia | Abu Dhabi |
| October 19, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Scotland vs Papua New Guinea | Muscat |
| October 19, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Oman vs Bangladesh | Muscat |
| October 20, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Namibia vs the Netherlands | Abu Dhabi |
| October 20, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Sri Lanka vs Ireland | Abu Dhabi |
| October 21, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Bangladesh vs Papua New Guinea | Muscat |
| October 21, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Oman vs Scotland | Muscat |
| October 22, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Namibia vs Ireland | Sharjah |
| October 22, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Sri Lanka vs the Netherlands | Sharjah |
Between the two groups, if we are to pick favourites to qualify, Bangladesh would be at the top of the list. Even from a cricket betting perspective, they hold the edge over all teams (except for perhaps Sri Lanka).
They should be followed by the Lankans and then probably Ireland – again on the account of the playing time these two teams have had in 2021. Ireland have seen more competitive games which should prove to be just enough to reach the main draw.
We are leaving the fourth spot for one of the dark horses which, let’s face it, is bound to happen.
Australia, South Africa to Face Off in the Opener
Moving on to the creme de la creme, the scintillating ICC T20 World Cup promises to live up to the hype with many scintillating opening fixtures in Super 12.
Australia and South Africa will face off on day one in the afternoon, followed by England going up against West Indies.
But the most-awaited fixture of the Super 12 is undoubtedly the one between India–Pakistan.
| Date & Time (IST) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 23, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Australia vs South Africa | Abu Dhabi |
| October 23, 2021 – 7:30 pm | England vs West Indies | Dubai |
| October 24, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Group A winner vs Group B runner-up | Sharjah |
| October 24, 2021 – 7:30 pm | India vs Pakistan | Dubai |
| October 25, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Afghanistan vs Group B winner | Sharjah |
| October 26, 2021 – 3:30 pm | South Africa vs West Indies | Dubai |
| October 26, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Pakistan vs New Zealand | Sharjah |
| October 27, 2021 – 3:30 pm | England vs Group B runner-up | Abu Dhabi |
| October 27, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Group B winner vs Group A runner-up | Abu Dhabi |
| October 28, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Australia vs Group A winner | Dubai |
| October 29, 2021 – 3:30 pm | West Indies vs Group B runner-up | Sharjah |
| October 29, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Afghanistan vs Pakistan | Dubai |
| October 30, 2021 – 3:30 pm | South Africa vs Group A winner | Sharjah |
| October 30, 2021 – 7:30 pm | England vs Australia | Dubai |
| October 31, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Afghanistan vs Group A runner-up | Abu Dhabi |
| October 31, 2021 – 7:30 pm | India vs New Zealand | Dubai |
| November 1, 2021 – 7:30 pm | England vs Group A winner | Sharjah |
| November 2, 2021 – 3:30 pm | South Africa vs Group B runner-up | Abu Dhabi |
| November 2, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Pakistan vs Group A runner-up | Abu Dhabi |
| November 3, 2021 – 3:30 pm | New Zealand vs Group B winner | Dubai |
| November 3, 2021 – 7:30 pm | India vs Afghanistan | Abu Dhabi |
| November 4, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Australia vs Group B runner-up | Dubai |
| November 4, 2021 – 7:30 pm | West Indies vs Group A winner | Abu Dhabi |
| November 5, 2021 – 3:30 pm | New Zealand vs Group A runner-up | Sharjah |
| November 5, 2021 – 7:30 pm | India vs Group B winner | Dubai |
| November 6, 2021 – 3:30 pm | Australia vs West Indies | Abu Dhabi |
| November 6, 2021 – 7:30 pm | England vs South Africa | Sharjah |
| November 7, 2021 – 3:30 pm | New Zealand vs Afghanistan | Abu Dhabi |
| November 7, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Pakistan vs Group B winner | Sharjah |
| November 8, 2021 – 7:30 pm | India vs Group A runner-up | Dubai |
Knockouts & Final
Both semifinals have reserve days – should we find ourselves in a situation where the match can’t be played on the assigned days, there are contingencies to play them the following day.
As for the final, it will be played on a Sunday in Dubai with Monday serving as the reserve day.
| Date & Time (IST) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| November 10, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Semifinal 1 | Abu Dhabi |
| November 11, 2021 – 7:30 pm | Semifinal 2 | Dubai |
| November 14, 2021 – 7:30 pm | T20 World Cup 2021 Final | Dubai |
At Bet India, we are going to cover every single T20 World Cup match in detail with our cricket betting tips and predictions, along with latest news and updates. Stay tuned.