All you need to know about the 2021 T20 World Cup

West Indies required 19 runs to win from the final over, as Ben Stokes was elected to bowl. What followed next was one of the most dramatic turnaround of events that took place in sporting history. The world bore witness to the heroics of Carlos Brathwaite as he lashed the ball straight over the boundary line, not once, not twice, but four times. A wave of jubilations swept the field as West Indies won their second T-20 World Cup.

But the question now is, will they become the first ever team to defend their title? Well, only time will tell. As the much anticipated, high-octane format of the World Cup makes its way to the Middle-East. We're here to tell you all you need to know. 

How does the format work and which are the teams?

A total of 16 teams will participate in the World Cup. Sides from Group A and Group B will play the other teams in their respective group once, with the top two teams from each pool reaching the Super 12. 

The winners of Group A and the runners-up in Group B will join England, Australia, South Africa and West Indies in Group 1, while the winners of Group B and runners-up in Group A will progress to Group 2 alongside Afghanistan, India, New Zealand and Pakistan. The top two sides in each group after the Super 12 will make the semi-finals. Both semi-finals and the final have a reserve day in case of bad weather. 

How does the point system work?

In both rounds, a team will get two points for a win; one point for a tie, no result or abandonment; and zero points for a loss.

How much money is up for grabs? 

Who were previous winners?

Year	Winners	Won by	Runners Up	Player of the series	Top Run Scorer	Top Wicket Taker	Host
2021	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA	Oman & UAE
2016	West Indies	4 Wicket	England	Virat Kohli	Tamim Iqbal	Mohammad Nabi	India
2014	Sri Lanka	6 Wickets	India	Virat Kohli	Virat Kohli	Ahsan Malik and Imran Tahir	Bangladesh
2012	West Indies	36 runs	Sri Lanka	Shane Watson	Shane Watson	Ajanta Mendis	Sri Lanka
2010	England	7 wickets	Australia	Kevin Pietersen	Mahela Jayawardene	Dirk Nannes	West Indies
2009	Pakistan	8 wickets	Sri Lanka	Tillakaratne Dilshan	Tillakaratne Dilshan	Umar Gul	England
2007	India	5 runs	Pakistan	Shahid Afridi	Matthew Hayden	Umar Gul	South Africa

 

The Record Holders 

1. Batting record holders

How can we not talk sixes when we talk about T-20? Chris Gayle is the man to watch out for, and even if you don't he will surely make his presence felt. 

It's hard not mentioning Chris Gayle and sixes in the same sentence. He became the first batter to score a T20 century in the opening game of the 2007 T20 World Cup and sits comfortably where he rightly belongs. 

 

Chris Gayle stands a chance of overtaking the Sri Lankan as he is only 96 runs behind.

Out of players who've scored the highest individual runs, nobody other than Gayle will be taking part in the 2021 tournament. While Gayle hit the tournament’s first century, it was former New Zealand captain Brendan McCullum who recorded the tournament’s highest score – a 58-ball 123 against Bangladesh in 2012. 

2. Bowling record holders

Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan round up the top-five, by showing their sides’ dominance with the ball at the tournament.

It would require a lot to pull off numbers of this sort. Simply remarkable by these top 5 athletes.  

Before dismissing their Kenyan counterparts for just 88, Sri Lanka ran riots all over the pitch, showcasing their dominance in sublime fashion once again.  

Sri Lanka once again made it to the record books after having dismissed Netherlands for a stalemate 39 – the lowest team total in the tournament’s history. Proving Sri Lanka, a team that cannot be ruled out whatsoever.  

Where are the games being played? 

1. Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, UAE

 

Dubai International Cricket Stadium has witnessed 62 matches in the T-20 format becoming the record-holder for the most men’s T20Is hosted. It will host 13 matches, including one semi-final and the final of this year’s T20 World Cup. 

2. Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE 

First used for international cricket in 1984, Sharjah has hosted an incredible 263 international men’s matches – only the Sydney Cricket Ground (277) and Melbourne Cricket Ground (275) have hosted more games. The 240 men’s ODIs it has hosted is 91 more than the next most used venue, the SCG (159).

The T20 World Cup will be another chapter added to the famous ground’s story.  The venue will host 11 matches. 

3. Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE

The second most used venue in men’s T20I history, Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium has hosted 48 matches in the format, and host 15 matches including one semi-final.

The ground’s first official international fixture came two years later when India played Pakistan in an ODI.

4. Oman Cricket Academy Ground, Al Amerat, Oman

Opened in 2012 it is the jewel in the crown of Omani Cricket. Holding official ICC Test accreditation, the ground has so far hosted 30 T20Is, as well as 15 ODIs. It will host six T20 World Cup matches. 

Are Fans Allowed Back In The Stadiums?

Yes, In Oman, the stadium will host 3,000 fans while the UAE venues (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah) will allow up to 70 percent capacity with all fans needing to be vaccinated with having to wear face masks once inside.

We're excited to watch the blue tigers in action as they take on Pakistan in their opening game of the competition. So hold tight as this tournament is one to sweep you off your feet. SportsEquip caters to your every need by providing authentic sports equipment right at your door-step.