The next edition of the World Twenty20 could be played in 2018 in an International Cricket Council (ICC) bid to once again increase the frequency of the event.
Commercial success in this year’s edition in India is seen as a leading factor in the ICC’s desire to add further World Cups in 2018 and 2022, according to the Sunday Telegraph says.
What’s more, the UAE could be in line to host the 2022 edition, according to the report.
Until now, the event has been played every two years – apart from when it was staged in successive years in 2009 and 2010 – but the ICC had initially opted against holding the next tournament in 2018 in efforts to keep interest levels reasonably balanced across the sport’s three formats.
The report says the ICC could look at venues such as the West Indies – home of the current champions – and the UAE as potential hosts for the new editions.
England have hosted the tournament in the past, in 2009, but will not be expected to fill in this time owing to their staging of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy and 50-over World Cup in 2019.
“Such was the success of the World Twenty20 in India recently that the ICC does not want to wait another four years for the next tournament, which is due to be staged in Australia in 2020, and is exploring holding extra editions,” the report states.
“Talks were held in fringe meetings at the ICC recent board meeting in Dubai last month about holding a World Twenty20 every two years with West Indies a possibility for the proposed 2018 tournament and the UAE in 2022. The proposal is expected to be added to the agenda for the ICC’s annual general meeting in Edinburgh at the end of June for formal discussion.”
With the discontinuation of the Champions League T20, a window has opened up in the calendar and the ICC is apparently looking to utilise it.
“An informal sounding out of broadcasters has begun about adding the tournaments to the recent $2billion rights deal signed with Star Sports in 2014 that runs until 2023. That deal included this year’s World T20 and in 2020 after the ICC decided to place its three global tournaments (the World Cup, Champions Trophy and World T20) on a four year cycle.
“But the collapse of the Champions League Twenty20, which featured domestic teams from around the world, has left a hole in the calendar in September-October, a time which is suitable for cricket in seven of the nine Test playing nations,” the report added.
Off the field, the ICC was keen to publicise the marketing records for the 2016 event, not just in traditional cricketing nations such as India and England, but also in the US where the governing body said it reached 1.4 million TV households.