ICC names Scotland joint host for the T20 Men’s World Cup in 2030
Scotland will jointly host the 2030 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with England and Ireland.
The tournament will be the first hosted in Scotland since the 1999 Cricket World Cup when The Grange in Edinburgh staged two matches.
Cricket Scotland say it marks another next step towards growing the game in the country and becoming an established force in world cricket following the success of Shane Burger’s side at the recent Men’s T20 World Cup in Oman where Scotland reached the Super 12s.
“Cricket Scotland is delighted, with the England & Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Ireland, to be awarded co-hosting rights by the International Cricket Council to the 2030 Men’s T20 World Cup Final," said Cricket Scotland Chair Tony Brian.
“It will be great for the Scottish cricket public to be able to see the stars of world cricket in person as well for Scotland to show off its history and beauty to the cricket lovers from around the world who will flock to see the finals. The event will bring significant economic benefit to the country.
“We look forward to continuing our very productive partnership with the other cohosts and the ICC to deliver a truly memorable global tournament in 2030.”
Details of the schedule and host venues for the 2030 event are still to be finalised.
ICC Chair Greg Barclay added: “We are delighted to have concluded this competitive bidding process for the first time for ICC events. To have 14 Members hosting 8 events is a reflection of the truly global nature of our sport and I’d like to thank every Member that submitted a bid and offer our congratulations to the successful bidders.”
The United States will host the 2024 event alongside the West Indies. The 2026 event will be staged in India and Sri Lanka, while Australia and New Zealand will share hosting duties in 2028. Australia was already confirmed as nest year’s host.
Meanwhile, Azeem Rafiq yesterday accused his old county Yorkshire of covering up for ex-captain Gary Ballance over an alleged failed drug test and allowing him to miss other tests.
The claims were denied by a representative of the ex-england batter. Rafiq revealed his experience of racism in cricket at a Westminster Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee hearing.
His written statement for a Leeds Employment Tribunal between Rafiq and Yorkshire was also published yesterday.
“Over the years, YCCC protected Gary Ballance with respect to his drug and alcohol issues, allowing him to miss drug hair sample tests to avoid sanctions,” Rafiq’s witness statement read. “When he failed a recreational drug test and was forced to miss some games, the club informed the public he was missing games because he was struggling with anxiety and mental health issues.”
Rafiq added: “Incidents with white players are covered up and a positive media spin is put out to protect them, yet in the case of Pakistani players, we are criticised unfairly and everything is put on show for the media to attack us.”