SVG T/20 World Cup match dates revealed

St Vincent and the Grenadines Twenty-twenty (T/20) World Cup match dates have been revealed.

This country will host five matches according to the released fixtures for the ninth edition of the 2024 ICC Men’s T/20 World Cup which will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA from June 1 – 29, 2024.

The matches to be played at the iconic Arnos Vale Cricket Ground will be on Thursday June 13, 2024 when Bangladesh and The Netherlands clash in a Group D match; Friday June 14, with South Africa taking on Nepal in another Group D clash; and Sunday June 16, when Bangladesh and Nepal clash in a third Group D match.

These Group stage matches will be followed by qualifying games on Saturday, June 22, with the first placed team in Group C clashing with the second placed team in Group B; and on Monday, June 24, the first placed team in Group C will do battle with the second placed team in Group D.

The competition is split up into four groups comprising five teams, with the top two sides from each group then progressing to the Super Six phase of the tournament ahead of the knockout semi-finals and final.

Joining co-hosts USA in Group A are arch-rivals India and Pakistan, as well as Canada in their first appearance at the event as well as Ireland in the European area.

Group B consists of the last two winners of the ICC Men’s Twenty/20 World Cup in England and Australia, with the pair to take on Namibia, Scotland and Oman.

The West Indies are placed into Group C alongside New Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda and Papua New Guinea, while Group D sees South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, The Netherlands and Nepal fixtured against each other.

The semi-finals will be played in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago on June 26 and 27, respectively, and the final in Barbados on June 29, 2024.

In a statement following the release of the World Cup fixtures, president of Cricket West Indies (CWI), Dr. Kishore Shallow spoke to the anticipated economic returns for the Caribbean.

“The ICC Men’s T/20 World Cup holds immense promise for the Caribbean, not just in terms of cricketing fervour but also as a catalyst for economic growth and regional development. This tournament is projected to yield over $US 300 million in direct economic impact for the Caribbean.

“Moreover, it is anticipated to captivate more than a billion viewers worldwide through television broadcasts, further elevating the global stature of the Caribbean as a sporting and tourist destination,” Shallow projected.

“This influx of visitors, heightened tourism, and burgeoning business prospects will create a ripple effect,” he emphasised.

“The impact on jobs, revenue streams, and the overall quality of life for our citizens will be substantial.”

Shallow reiterated CWI’s unwavering commitment to collaboration, stating that “Cricket West Indies remains steadfast in its collaboration with international partners to ensure the resounding success of the ICC T/20 World Cup. Together, we aim to deliver an unforgettable tournament that not only captivates cricket enthusiasts worldwide but also leaves an enduring legacy of unity, sportsmanship, and economic prosperity across the Caribbean”.