The ICC is gearing up to unveil the schedule for the much-anticipated warm-up matches ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the USA and the West Indies next month. However, there’s a twist in the tale as two cricketing powerhouses, Pakistan and England, are likely to miss out on these preparatory games.
The decision to skip the warm-up matches stems from both teams’ involvement in crucial four-match T20I series. Pakistan is all set to embark on their journey with a clash against co-hosts USA in Dallas on June 6, followed by encounters against arch-rivals India on June 9 and Canada on June 12, both scheduled to be held in New York. Their final league match against Ireland is slated for June 16 in Florida.
On the other hand, England will be stationed in the Caribbean for their initial matches against Scotland and Australia on June 4 and 8 in Barbados. Their remaining league fixtures against Oman and Namibia are scheduled for June 13 and 15 in Antigua.
A report from Cricbuzz sheds light on the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) request for India’s warm-up game to be staged in New York, aligning with the team’s base. Initially, the ICC and Cricket West Indies (CWI) had proposed Florida as the venue. However, Indian players, grappling with fatigue from extensive travel and the rigorous Indian Premier League (IPL), have expressed concerns about the additional trip from New York to Florida and back.
To accommodate the needs of the Indian team, the original departure for New York, slated for May 21, has been rescheduled. Players will now depart in two batches on May 25 and 26. This strategic move ensures a balanced preparation for the T20 World Cup, especially for those participating in the IPL final on May 26.
With the ICC set to announce the schedule for these matches soon, anticipation is rife among cricket enthusiasts. Considering that the multi-team tournament is scheduled to commence from June 1st, it is expected that the warm-up fixtures will be slotted around May 25th and 26th.
In conclusion, while Pakistan and England might miss out on the warm-up matches, the stage is set for an electrifying showdown as teams gear up to vie for T20 cricket’s most coveted prize.
