T20 World Cup 2021: ICC brings changes in playing regulations for semi-finals and finals in case of delays

The International Cricket Council has put forth some changes in the playing regulations going into the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup, starting October 17 in Oman and UAE. The apex cricket board has decided to increase the number of overs for rain-interrupted and delayed matches.

As per the current rules in the T20 format, each team has to play a minimum of five overs to force a result. The rules will be applied in the first round and Super 12s of the World Cup, but the ICC tweaked the rules a bit for the semi-finals and final.

ICC tweaks rules for T20 World Cup

For the knockout games, each team will have to play a minimum of 10 overs to affect a result in the game, ESPNcricinfo reported. The same was the norm in the 2020 edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia last year where both the semi-finals were affected by rain.

Even as India’s semi-final against England was washed of completely due to rain, South Africa lost their semi-final game against Australia by five runs- DLS Method. Later, Proteas’ skipper Dane van Niekerk said that she’d “rather lose than get a free pass into the World Cup final.”

Thereafter, replying to Van Niekerk’s words, renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle said, “Except that it isn’t your choice whether to play or get a free pass! And it isn’t really a free pass but a qualification for playing well in the group stage.”

As far as the upcoming tournament is concerned, Oman and Papua New Guinea will start off proceedings in a group game at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1), Al Amerat. The Super 12s starts on Saturday, October 23 with the game between Australia and South Africa at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

It will also be the first time when the Decision Review System will be in place for a men’s ICC T20I tournament. The organisers have also put forth the COVID-19 protocols a few days ago keeping in mind the grave global scenario over the last one and half years. The 20-member contingent of match officials have also been named.