With the T20 World Cup 2024 approaching, cricket fans around the globe are eagerly awaiting the multi-team event scheduled for June. This edition is particularly noteworthy as it features 20 teams for the first time, with three new teams—USA (co-hosts), Canada, and Uganda—making their debut in the global event.
Standard practice: Warm-up games
Traditionally, teams participate in warm-up fixtures to acclimate to the conditions and fine-tune their strategies before the tournament begins. The ICC has announced that the schedule for these games will be released soon. Since the multi-team tournament is scheduled in June, it is expected that the warm-up matches will take place around May 25-26.
Change in warm-up game format
Historically, teams have played at least two warm-up matches. However, this year, there is a significant change: India, the inaugural T20 World Cup winners, will only play one warm-up game. In contrast, the 2009 champions Pakistan and subsequent winners England may miss their practice fixtures entirely.
Reasons for India’s single warm-up fixture
According to a Cricbuzz report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has requested that India’s warm-up game be held in New York, where the team will be based. The ICC and Cricket West Indies (CWI) had initially proposed Florida as the venue, but Indian players, fatigued from extensive travel and the demanding Indian Premier League (IPL), are reluctant to make the additional trip from New York to Florida and back.
India were originally scheduled to depart for New York on May 21, but the departure has been rescheduled to two batches on May 25 and 26. Players involved in the IPL final on May 26 will leave at a later date.
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India’s T20 World Cup 2024 schedule
India’s league matches are slated to begin on June 5 against Ireland in New York, followed by games against Pakistan on June 9 and the USA on June 12. Their final league match against Canada will take place in Florida on June 15, after which the team will head to the West Indies for the Super Eight stage.
Pakistan and England’s warm-up game status
England and Pakistan are likely to miss their warm-up matches due to their upcoming bilateral series, which ends on May 30, leaving them with little time for additional fixtures.
Pakistan will start their campaign in Dallas against co-host USA on June 6, followed by matches in New York against India on June 9 and Canada on June 12. Their final league game against Ireland is scheduled for June 16 in Florida.
England will be based in the Caribbean, playing their initial games on June 4 against Scotland and June 8 against Australia in Barbados. Their remaining league matches against Oman and Namibia will be held on June 13 and 15 in Antigua.
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