The global expansion of cricket

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat describes World Twenty20 qualifier as ‘biggest development event in cricket history’.

John Mooney
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ICC’s Haroon Lorgat is behind qualifier which means teams outside top 10 receive global TV coverage [GALLO/GETTY]

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat has called the ICC World Twenty20 qualifier that begins in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday “the biggest development event in cricket history”.

It is not an empty boast as 16 teams from cricket’s second and third tiers will play 71 matches at five venues over 12
days, with two places at stake in September’s main event in Sri Lanka.

The UAE tournament follows on from 12 qualifying events to reach this stage that took place in locations including Ghana, Slovenia, Nepal and Florida.

The previous ICC World Twenty20 qualifier in 2010 involved eight teams playing 17 matches over five days at two venues, while last year’s ICC Cricket World Cup, won by India, featured 49 matches and was spread over 43 days and 13 venues in three countries – Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

“The fact this qualifier’s footprint, thanks to the tournament itself and the qualifying events that preceded it, touches so many places around the world is a great sign for the health of the game and interest in it globally,” Lorgat said on Monday.

For the first time, a cricket tournament involving teams outside the world’s top 10 will have global television coverage.

The ICC has reached agreements with its official broadcasters in Asia, Africa and the Americas to show six matches over the final three days at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Those matches will also be streamed live on the internet, as will 14 other matches over seven days.

Andy Richardson will be there covering the event for Al Jazeera. Follow him on Twitter@AndyR_Sport

Source: Reuters