T20 World Cup is moving to UAE considering the health and safety of everyone involved a priority: Sourav Ganguly & Jay Shah

The upcoming T20 World Cup is all set to take place in the United Arab Emirates. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had given the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) until June 28 to confirm whether or not the tournament could be held in India. 

On Monday, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly told PTI that the tournament has been shifted to the UAE and that the itinerary is being finalised. This decision was made after prioritizing the health and safety of everyone involved. The 48-year-old also clarified the tournament's reported start date, saying it had not yet been finalised.

“We have officially intimated the ICC that the T20 World Cup can be shifted to the United Arab Emirates. The details are being chalked out. The decision was taken keeping health safety concerns of all stakeholders in mind. We will be able to finalise itinerary details in some days. October 17 start hasn’t yet been finalised,” Sourav Ganguly was quoted as saying by PTI.

In a letter to all stakeholders, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah stated that, in the best interests of health and safety, the BCCI has decided to organize the 2021 T20 World Cup in the middle-eastern state of UAE.

“After much deliberation, it has been decided that the safety of players and other stakeholders is of paramount importance, and keeping that in mind, it is best that we shift the ICC T20 World Cup to the United Arab Emirates. It was not an easy decision and we mulled over it for months, constantly keeping an eye on the COVID situation all along,” said Jay Shah.

With the UAE's experience organising tournaments such as the IPL, the BCCI and the host-nation will be hoping for a smooth and successful tournament.

"On the brighter side, the BCCI remains the host for the ICC T20 World Cup and with its prior experience in hosting IPL in UAE, we can say with certainty that it will be hosted smoothly, and the BCCI will leave no stone unturned to make it an unprecedented success," he said.

[With PTI & ANI input]