Dominica withdraws from hosting T20 World Cup 2024 matches
Dominica's Windsor Park was supposed to host three World Cup matches
KARACHI: The government of Dominica has taken a decision not to host any matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 due to the country’s inability to meet implementation timelines.
Dominica's Windsor Park was supposed to host three World Cup matches - Two matches of the first round for the T20 World Cup and one Super 8 game.
Due to the unavailability of the infrastructure on time for the World Cup, the Dominican Government withdrew from the event as preparations are incomplete.
A statement from the government announcing that decision is posted below.
"The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be hosted in the West Indies and the United States in June 2024. The Government of Dominica expressed its interest in hosting a number of these prestigious games at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium (WPSS), and subsequently, Dominica was shortlisted as a Host Country for one group stage match and two games in the Super 8 stage of the tournament, subject to the attainment of various obligations as set out in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)."
"Several tangible actions were taken both at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium and at Benjamin’s Park including the commencement of upgrading and enhancement of the practice and match venues, various assessments and the creation of additional pitches where necessary."
"However, the implementation timelines submitted by the various contractors revealed that it would not be possible to complete these works within the stipulated timeframe before the commencement of the tournament. As a result, a decision was taken not to host any of the matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 as it would not be prudent for the Government of Dominica to commit to hosting these games."
"In light of Dominica’s sterling reputation in hosting international cricket, this decision is considered to be in the best interest of all. The Government of Dominica thanks Cricket West Indies (CWI) for its partnership over the years and looks forward to continued collaboration in the future. The Government of Dominica extends best wishes to the organisers for a successful tournament in June 2024."
Remember, ICC confirmed Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, St Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, and St Vincent & The Grenadines as the seven Caribbean venues that will host matches during the T20 World Cup 2024 from 4 to 30 June.
Along with the Caribbean Islands, three venues in the USA - Grand Prairie in Dallas, Broward County in Florida and Nassau County in New York were announced as venues.
Earlier, the 20 teams participating in the tournament were finalised. Namibia and Uganda secured the last two berths, joining six other teams that successfully navigated through regional qualifying rounds.
The 2024 tournament will feature a 20-team format divided into two stages before the knockout phase, albeit different from the First Round/Super 12 arrangement seen in the 2021 and 2022 editions.
The top two teams from each of the four groups of five will progress to a Super Eights phase, where the remaining sides will be divided into two groups of four. The top two from each group will then advance to the semi-finals.
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