ICC announces schedule for T20 World Cup 2022, India to begin campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan

ICC has announced the schedule for the T20 World Cup 2022 as the T20I showpiece will begin from October 16.

Team India will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on 23rd December. The matches will be played across seven venues Adelaide, Brisbane, Geelong, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney, with the final to be played on November 13 at the MCG.

Sri Lanka, Namibia, and two qualifiers are in Group A of the First round whereas West Indies, Scotland, and the other two qualifiers will be Group B of the opening round.

Meanwhile, the hosts Australia, England, Afghanistan, and New Zealand are in Group 1 of the Super 12 stage. The table-toppers of Group A and second-placed of Group B will join Group 1 teams in the Super 12 stage.

Similarly, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and South Africa are in Group 2 of the Super 12 stage. The table-toppers of Group B and the second-placed team of Group A will join Group 2 teams in the Super 12 stage.

In fact, Australia was earlier supposed to host the 2020 edition of the T20 World Cup but it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“T20 is the global growth format for cricket and the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 will play a huge role in inspiring our next generation of players and fans as the world’s best players descend on Australia and showcase the very best of our sport. The release of fixtures is always a great moment in the delivery of a World Cup as fans start to get excited about opening games, head to heads, and knock-out stages,” ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said.

First-round

Group A: Sri Lanka, Namibia, two qualifiers

Group B: West Indies, Scotland, two qualifiers

Super 12 stage

Group 1: Australia, Afghanistan, England, New Zealand, A1, B2

Group 2: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, South Africa, B1, A2

India’s fixtures India vs Pakistan, Melbourne Cricket Ground – October 23

India vs Group A runner up, Sydney Cricket Ground – October 27

India vs South Africa, Perth Stadium – October 30

India vs Bangladesh, Adelaide Oval – November 2.
India vs Group B winner, Melbourne Cricket Ground – November 6.