All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

With teams confirming their squads and reserves, the build-up to the T20 World Cup 2021, to be held in Oman and UAE from October 17 to November 14, has gotten just that more exciting. These squads have given fans and experts plenty to talk about, especially regarding the potential first-choice line-ups of each of their […]
 
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All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

With teams confirming their squads and reserves, the build-up to the T20 World Cup 2021, to be held in Oman and UAE from October 17 to November 14, has gotten just that more exciting. 

These squads have given fans and experts plenty to talk about, especially regarding the potential first-choice line-ups of each of their favourite sides. 

Here we look to bring to you the different groups, the schedules, squads and every other detail you need to know about the T20 World Cup.

Tournament structure

There are 16 teams contesting in this year’s T20 World Cup. Seven of those teams and the hosts (India, originally) automatically qualified for the tournament and are 8 of the 12 teams in the Super 12 phase. The remaining eight teams will play a qualifiying round that begins from October 17. 

Group A: Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, Namibia

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Read the Group A preview here.

Group B: Bangladesh, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Scotland

Read the Group B preview here.

 

The top two teams from each of these two groups will join the main eight teams, already divided into groups, in the Super 12 phase.

Group 1: Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies, Group A winner, Group B runners up

Group 2: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, New Zealand, Group B winner, Group A runners up

The top two teams from the two groups in the Super 12 phase then play the semi-finals. The finals are scheduled to be held in Dubai on November 14th.

T20 World Cup 2021 warm-up fixtures

Date Time (GST) Match City
12th Oct 2pm Papua New Guinea v/s Ireland Abu Dhabi
12th Oct 6pm Scotland v/s Netherlands Abu Dhabi
12th Oct 6pm Bangladesh v/s Sri Lanka Abu Dhabi
12th Oct 6pm Oman v/s Namibia Dubai
14th Oct 10am Bangladesh v/s Ireland Abu Dhabi
14th Oct 10am Sri Lanka v/s Papua New Guinea Abu Dhabi
14th Oct 10am Scotland v/s Namibia Dubai
14th Oct 10am Netherlands v/s Oman Dubai
Date Time (GST) Match City
18th Oct 2pm Afghanistan v/s South Africa Abu Dhabi
18th Oct 2pm Pakistan v/s West Indies Dubai
18th Oct 6pm New Zealand v/s Australia Abu Dhabi
18th Oct 6pm India v/s England Dubai
20th Oct 2pm England v/s New Zealand Abu Dhabi
20th Oct 2pm India v/s Australia Dubai
20th Oct 6pm Pakistan v/s South Africa Abu Dhabi
20th Oct 6pm Afghanistan v/s West Indies Dubai

 

T20 World Cup 2021 full fixtures

DATE MATCH TIME STAGE VENUE
October 17 Oman vs Papua New Guinea 03:30 PM Round 1 Al Almerat, Muscat
October 17 Bangladesh vs Scotland 07:30 PM Round 1 Al Almerat, Muscat
October 18 Ireland vs the Netherlands 03:30 PM Round 1 Abu Dhabi
October 18 Sri Lanka vs Namibia 07:30 PM Round 1 Abu Dhabi
October 19 Scotland vs Papua New Guinea 03:30 PM Round 1 Al Almerat, Muscat
October 19 Oman vs Bangladesh 07:30 PM Round 1 Al Almerat, Muscat
October 20 Namibia vs the Netherlands 03:30 PM Round 1 Abu Dhabi
October 20 Sri Lanka vs Ireland 07:30 PM Round 1 Abu Dhabi
October 21 Bangladesh vs Papua New Guinea   Round 1 Al Almerat, Muscat
October 21 Oman vs Scotland   Round 1 Al Almerat, Muscat
October 22 Namibia vs Ireland   Round 1 Abu Dhabi
October 22 Sri Lanka vs the Netherlands   Round 1 Abu Dhabi
October 23 Australia vs South Africa   Super 12 Abu Dhabi
October 23 England vs West Indies   Super 12 Abu Dhabi
October 24 A1 vs B2   Super 12 Sharjah
October 24 India vs Pakistan   Super 12 Dubai
October 25 Afghanistan vs B1   Super 12 Sharjah
October 26 South Africa vs West Indies   Super 12 Dubai
October 26 Pakistan vs New Zealand   Super 12 Sharjah
October 27 England vs B2   Super 12 Abu Dhabi
October 27 B1 vs A2   Super 12 Abu Dhabi
October 28 Australia vs A1   Super 12 Dubai
October 29 West Indies vs B2   Super 12 Sharjah
October 29 Afghanistan vs Pakistan   Super 12 Dubai
October 30 South Africa vs A1   Super 12 Sharjah
October 30 England vs Australia   Super 12 Dubai
October 31 Afghanistan vs A2   Super 12 Abu Dhabi
October 31 India vs New Zealand   Super 12 Dubai
November 1 England vs A1   Super 12 Sharjah
November 2 South Africa vs B2   Super 12 Abu Dhabi
November 2 Pakistan vs A2   Super 12 Abu Dhabi
November 3 New Zealand vs B1   Super 12 Dubai
November 3 India vs Afghanistan   Super 12 Abu Dhabi
November 4 Australia vs B2   Super 12 Dubai
November 4 West Indies vs A1   Super 12 Abu Dhabi
November 5 New Zealand vs A2   Super 12 Sharjah
November 5 India vs B1   Super 12 Dubai
November 6 Australia vs West Indies   Super 12 Abu Dhabi
November 6 England vs South Africa   Super 12 Sharjah
November 7 New Zealand vs Afghanistan   Super 12 Abu Dhabi
November 7 Pakistan vs B1   Super 12 Sharjah
November 8 India vs A2   Super 12 Dubai
November 10 Semi-Final 1   Playoff Abu Dhabi
November 11 Semi-Final 2   Playoff Dubai
November 14 Final   Final Dubai

 

T20 World Cup 2021 squads and team schedules

The 16 squads and their team schedules in the World Cup in no particular order:

India Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Shardul Thakur was added to India’s T20 World Cup Squad replacing Axar Patel

The biggest talking points from India’s squad for T20 World Cup were the return of off-spinner Ravichandran and the exclusion of regular leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Ashwin last played in a T20I back in 2017 but has been brought back now for his fourth successive T20 World Cup. Chahal was considered indispensable to the T20I side by many has been left out in preference of younger leg-spinner Rahul Chahar. 

Fixtures: India will begin the campaign with their first Super 12 Group 2 game on October 24 against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai. They’ll then play New Zealand on October 31 in Dubai and Afghanistan on November 3 in Abu Dhabi. The inaugural edition champions will also take on the two preliminary round qualifiers on November 5 & 8 in Dubai. 

Two teams each from the two preliminary groups will join top 8 ranked T20I teams in the respective Super 12 stage groups and from there, top 2 teams will enter the semis.

Pakistan Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Babar Azam will be leading Pakistan in the T20 World Cup this time

The demotion of aggressive top-order batsman Fakhar Zaman to the reserves was certainly eye-catching as far as Pakistan are concerned. As was the reinclusion of Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah to the batting unit on the back of domestic T20 form. The two players have poor numbers in T20Is for Pakistan but have been backed on pure ability to produce the goods. 

Fixtures: After opening their campaign with a marquee clash against arch-rivals India in Dubai on October 24, Pakistan will move across to Sharjah to face New Zealand on October 26 and return to Dubai where they’ll face Afghanistan on October 29. Pakistan’s two matches against the preliminary round qualifiers are scheduled for November 2 in Abu Dhabi and November 7 in Sharjah.

Australia Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Glenn Maxwell is a vital cog of Australia’s T20 World Cup 2021 Squad

The return of their prominent first-choice picks, including skipper Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins and Marcus Stoinis, would be pleasing for the selectors and the team management after disappointing tours of West Indies and Bangladesh with their second-string team. 

Fixtures: Australia, part of Group 1 at the Super 12 stage, will open their account on October 23 against South Africa in Abu Dhabi. They’ll then play the qualifiers from the preliminary round on October 28 in Abu Dhabi and November 4 in Dubai. In between these two games, they’ll take on arch-rivals England in Dubai on October 30. The Aussies will finish their Super 12 campaign on November 6 against defending champions West Indies in Abu Dhabi. 

West Indies Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Nicholas Pooran has been appointed as Kieron Pollard’s deputy

West Indies have handed a comeback to pacer Ravi Rampaul after six years in their T20I side and picked spin all-rounder Roston Chase ahead of the T20 World Cup. The two players have been rewarded for their excellent form in the CPL this year. Apart from these two, Keiron Pollard & company have chosen to keep their core intact, with only two notable absentees in Jason Holder and Sheldon Cottrell from the main playing squad. 

Fixtures: West Indies will kick-off their campaign with a Group 1 Super 12 fixture in Dubai on October 23 against England. Followed by matches versus South Africa (October 26, Dubai), Preliminary qualifier B2 (October 29, Sharjah), A1 (November 4, Abu Dhabi) and Australia (November 6, Abu Dhabi).

South Africa Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Temba Bavuma has been appointed as the captain of South Africa’s T20 World Cup 2021 Squad

South Africa have included uncapped Keshav Maharaj for his first T20I assignment with the national side. The Proteas are missing stalwarts Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir and Chris Morris for the high-pressure event to be played in UAE and Oman. 

Fixtures:  South Africa take on Australia in their first Super 12 stage game on October 23 in Abu Dhabi. Their caravan then shifts to Dubai for another difficult encounter on October 26 against the West Indies. The Proteas will face the preliminary round qualifiers successively on October 30 and November 2 in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, before rounding off the Super 12 stage on November 6 in Sharjah. 

England Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

England’s T20 World Cup 2021 Squad features Tymal Mills, who last played in a T20I in 2016

Eoin Morgan led England have brought back left-arm seamers Tymal Mills to the squad for the T20 World Cup after five years. They’ve also gave the nods to Dawid Willey and Chris Woakes. Premier all-rounder Ben Stokes, going through a mental health break, was unavailable for selection. 

Fixtures: Last edition’s runners-up, England will kick-off their campaign in the Super 12 stage via a clash against defending champions West Indies in Dubai on October 23. Followed by matches against preliminary qualifier B2 on October 27 in Abu Dhabi, Australia on October 30 in Dubai, preliminary qualifier A1 on November 1 in Sharjah and South Africa on November 6 at the same venue. 

Afghanistan Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Mohammad Nabi will lead Afghanistan in T20 World Cup 2021

For Afghanistan, the biggest news – or a controversy, to be fair – is the last-minute captaincy change from Rashid Khan to Mohammad Nabi after the former’s resignation over displeasure regarding the squad that is picked for the T20 World Cup. The Asian dark horses have brought back multiple of their senior pros, including former skipper Asgar Afghan, Hamid Hassan, Mohammad Shahzad, Dawlat Zadran and Shapoor Zadran. 

Fixtures: Part of Super 12 Group 2, Afghanistan will play the preliminary qualifier B1 for their opening game in Sharjah on October 25 and then face neighbours Pakistan on October 29 in Dubai. Their next three matches versus qualifier A2 (October 31), India (November 3) and New Zealand (November 7) are all in Abu Dhabi. 

New Zealand Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Lockie Ferguson, who had a great outing with Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021, will be looking to deliver for New Zealand in the T20 World Cup

So confident New Zealand are of their players, they were the first country to confirm their squad for the T20 World Cup. The Kane Williamson led side have retained their core group, which did exceedingly well in the 2020-21 home season, with Mark Chapman, the former Hong Kong player, being the only selection that took a few by surprise. They are also the only team to appoint a designated injury cover in the form of paceman Adam Milne. 

Fixtures: Starting their campaign on October 26 with a game against Pakistan in Sharjah, the Blackcaps will move to Dubai for perhaps their most difficult game of the Super 12 stage against India on October 31. They then take on the two preliminary round qualifiers on November 3 and 5 in Dubai and Sharjah, before rounding off the Super 12 stage by taking on Afghanistan on November 7 in Abu Dhabi. 

Bangladesh Squad 

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Mahmudullah has been assigned the responsibility to lead Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2021

Demotion of experienced pacer Rubel Hossain to the reserves and absence of veteran opening batsman Tamim Iqbal are the only real noticeable changes to Bangladesh’s first-choice T20I squad for the World Cup ahead. The absence of Tamim was known before the squad was picked as he has opted out after prolonged absence from the T20I scene. 

Fixtures: Part of Group B of the preliminary round at the T20 World Cup, Bangladesh will take on Scotland, Oman and Papua New Guinea on October 17, 19 and 21, respectively, at Al Amerat. 

Netherlands Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Netherlands have assembled quite a strong squad for T20 World Cup 2021

The Netherlands are at full strength for the T20 World Cup following the returns of Ryan ten Doeschate and Roelof van der Merwe to the national squad for the first time since 2019. They’ll also have the services of Timm van der Gugten, Brandon Glover, Fred Klaassen, Logan van Beek, Stephan Myburgh. But there was no place for Michael Rippon, Tom Cooper and Vivian Kingma in the squad led by Pieter Seelar. 

Fixtures: The Dutch are part of Group A of the initial stage along with Ireland, Namibia and Sri Lanka. They’ll face the Irish and the Namibians in Abu Dhabi on October 18 & 20, before moving across to Sharjah for a face-off against the Lankans on October 22.

Sri Lanka Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Wanindu Hasaranga will be the player to watch out from Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup 2021

Always likely to throw up surprises in selection, the Sri Lankans have demoted experienced spinner Akila Dhananjaya to the reserves and have given promising young tweaker Maheesh Theekshana a nod ahead of him for the T20 World Cup. Former skipper Dinesh Chandimal is also back in the squad which will be led by all-rounder Dasun Shanaka. The rest of the squad includes usual suspects, with the inclusion of uncapped (in T20Is) left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama being an out-of-the-field selection. 

Fixtures: Also part of Group A in the preliminary round, Sri Lankans will take on Namibia (October 18) and Ireland (October 20) in Abu Dhabi and then take on the Netherlands (October 22) in Sharjah. 

Ireland Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Paul Stirling’s experience will be crucial to Ireland’s chances of succeeding in T20 World Cup 2021

A team reeling from depth and skills for flatter environs in white-ball cricket, Ireland have chosen to persist with their tried and tested squad, which is led by Andy Balbirnie. Balbirnie will also be key to Ireland’s top-order resolve in cohesion with aggressive opener Paul Stirling. These two gents combined with experienced all-rounder Kevin O’Brien will have to do the bulk of the scoring as Ireland approach a T20 World Cup with an unsettled and inexperienced middle-order and a bowling unit lacking short-format skills. 

Fixtures: Part of Group A of the preliminary round, Ireland will take on Netherlands (October 18) and Sri Lanka (October 20) in Abu Dhabi before moving across to Sharjah for the final game against Namibia (October 22) in Sharjah. 

Scotland Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Kyle Coetzer will be leading Scotland in T20 World Cup 2021

Scotland have a lot of batting depth and powerhitting skills that could propel them through to the Super 12s if the surfaces in Oman behave true and flat for the preliminary round Group B. Their batting department is full of power and skills in the presence of Richard Berrington, George Munsey, Mathew Cross. They’ve also relied a lot on experience. Led by Kyle Coetzer, the team includes multiple of their longstanding servants in Calum Mcleod, Safyaan Sharif among others. Bowling is a bit of an issue but if their batting gets going, Scotland could dominate their way through the initial round.

Fixtures: Scotland begin their campaign with a challenge encounter against Bangladesh on October 17, followed by matches versus Papua New Guinea (October 19) and Oman (October 21). All three games will be played at the Al Amerat in Oman. 

Namibia Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Gerhard Erasmus and JJ Smit are a couple of players to watch put from Namibia in the T20 World Cup 2021

Namibia have been one of the more all-round teams since the end of the last T20 World Cup. In this period, the Namibians have had a run-rate of 8.20 per over with an average of 26.26 per wicket but they have also gone for only 6.15 runs per over themselves while taking wickets every 15.11 runs in T20Is. They’ll need captain Gerhard Erasmus, JJ Smit and Craig Williams to maintain their good run with the bat and for the likes of Jan Frylinck, Bernard Scholtz to continue producing the goods with the ball. Namibia are also bolstered by the inclusion of experienced South African allrounder David Wiese. 

Fixtures: Namibia take on Sri Lanka in their opening game on October 18 in Abu Dhabi, followed by a game at the same venue on October 20 versus the Netherlands. They round-off the initial stage via an encounter with Ireland in Sharjah on October 22. 

Oman Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Zeeshan Maqsood’s experience is pivotal to Oman’s chances in T20 World Cup 2021

Oman have had a middling record in T20I in this cycle. Since their maiden T20 World Cup appearance back in India in 2016, they have won only 12 of their 23 games in the shortest format, losing 11. In complete contrast to Scotland, their bowling is their strength while the batting is a worry. They have scored their runs at only 7.18 per over since the last World Cup but have kept their noses ahead in the bowling department, carrying an economy rate of 6.84. Bilal Khan, Khawar Ali, Mohammad Nadeem have been their stand-out performers with the ball in this period but Jatin Singh is their only batter to be averaging above 30 in this phase. They’ll need their bowling resources to be competitive. 

Fixtures: Oman host PNG in their first game on October 17 and then take on Bangladesh and Scotland on October 19 & 21, respectively, all three in home conditions at Al Amerat. 

Papua New Guinea Squad

All you need to know about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021: Tournament structure, groups, fixtures, start time, squads and prize money

Skipper Assad Vala is an all-round asset for PNG

PNG are hailed as one of the associate world’s best fielding units. Their outfielding is one of things to watch out for as the Oceanic country approach their first major ICC event. PNG have won 14 and lost only 7 of their 22 T20Is in the period since the last T20 World Cup. They’ve had a decent batting unit, scoring runs at 7.90 per over while averaging 23.73 in this period. But it is their bowling that has shined brighter, carrying an economy rate of only 6.22 and taking wickets at 16.25 runs per piece. PNG, like Oman, have had only one stand-out batter in this period by the name of  Tony Ura but they’ve thankfully had multiple bowlers chipping in with useful contributions in the form of Norman Vanua, Damien Ravu, Nosaina Pokana. 

Fixtures: PNG will be facing up against co-hosts Oman, Scotland and Bangladesh in Group B of the preliminary round on October 17, 19 and 21, respectively. 

Prize money for the T20 World Cup 2021

The title winners of T20 World Cup 2021 will be given a 1.6 million US dollars, while the runners-up will receive $800,000. The teams eliminated in the semi-finals will both be given $400,000. Winner of each match of the Super 12 and round 1 will receive $40,000 each. Teams eliminated in the Super 12 get $70,000 each. Round 1 exits get $40,000 each.

What happens if a T20 World Cup match is washed out?

Reserve days are available only for the semi-finals and the final. Match officials will be doing their best effort to finish the game on the scheduled date. But if that isn’t possible, the fixture will resume at the exact score and number of balls on the reserve day. Minimum of five overs will be required to constitute a game and have a result on DLS method during the preliminary stage and Super 12s round. For knock-outs, this will extend to a minimum of 10 overs.