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| World Twenty20 | |
|---|---|
| Name | ICC World Twenty20 |
| Administrator | International Cricket Council |
| Cricket format | Twenty20 |
| First | 2007 |
| Last | 2016 |
| Tournament format | Round-robin tournament and Knockout tournament |
| Participants | 12–16 |
World Twenty20 is an international cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council featuring the Twenty20 format. Conceived to popularize short-format cricket and expand global appeal, the competition involves full-member England, Australia, India and associate nations such as Afghanistan and Ireland. The event ran alongside other ICC events like the Cricket World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy, reshaping schedules for boards including the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Pakistan Cricket Board.
The proposal for a standalone Twenty20 world championship emerged after domestic tournaments such as the Twenty20 Cup (England and Wales) and the Indian Premier League demonstrated commercial success, prompting the International Cricket Council to stage the inaugural edition in South Africa in 2007. The first tournament featured dramatic upsets and boosted profiles of teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, while spotlighting players from Mumbai Indians and Sussex County Cricket Club who later starred internationally. Subsequent editions in England (2009), West Indies (2010), Sri Lanka (2012), and Bangladesh (2014) reflected shifting host selection debates involving the Asian Cricket Council and the Marylebone Cricket Club. Political considerations, such as relations between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Pakistan Cricket Board, influenced hosting and broadcasting deals with networks like Sky Sports and Star Sports.
The competition used a blend of Group stage and Knockout tournament phases, with formats varying across editions to accommodate 12 to 16 participants. Early tournaments implemented a Super 8 phase similar to the Cricket World Cup structure, while later editions adopted a Super 10 or straight knockout model influenced by scheduling constraints involving boards such as Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board. Match officials included umpires from the International Cricket Council Elite Panel of Umpires and referees associated with the International Cricket Council adjudication processes. Changes to playing conditions mirrored amendments by the Marylebone Cricket Club to the Laws of Cricket and innovations trialed by national bodies like the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Automatic berths typically went to full members of the International Cricket Council including South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, and Sri Lanka. Associates such as Scotland, Netherlands, and Hong Kong earned places via the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier and regional qualifiers administered by ICC Americas and Asian Cricket Council. Qualification campaigns featured players from domestic franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders and Melbourne Stars, and were affected by international windows negotiated with entities such as the International Olympic Committee and broadcasters including ESPNcricinfo.
Stadiums that hosted matches included the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, the Lord's Cricket Ground in London, the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, and the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Host selection intersected with infrastructure investments by national boards such as the Bangladesh Cricket Board and governments in Sri Lanka and South Africa. Security and diplomatic matters influenced venue decisions involving Pakistan and bilateral relations with India, while tourism ministries in hosts like West Indies leveraged the tournament alongside events such as the Caribbean Premier League.
Statistical leaders included top run-scorers and wicket-takers from sides like India, England, Australia, and West Indies. Individual accolades highlighted performances by players affiliated with clubs like Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings, and Player of the Tournament awards paralleled recognitions given in the Cricket World Cup. Records encompassed highest team totals at venues such as the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, fastest half-centuries referenced alongside milestone innings by Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum, and bowling records comparable to achievements in One Day International cricket history. Statistical compendia were maintained by outlets including Opta Sports and ESPNcricinfo.
Memorable matches featured landmark innings and upsets involving India versus England, and headline performances by stars like Yuvraj Singh and Mahela Jayawardene. Controversies touched on match-fixing allegations investigated by authorities linked to the Central Bureau of Investigation and disciplinary actions enforced by the International Cricket Council Integrity Unit. Governance disputes between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Pakistan Cricket Board affected bilateral fixtures and created debate around neutral-venue proposals involving United Arab Emirates stadia. Broadcasting rights disputes involved conglomerates such as STAR India and regulatory bodies including the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
The tournament accelerated the commercialization of short-format cricket, influencing the proliferation of franchise leagues like the Indian Premier League, the Big Bash League, and the Caribbean Premier League. It altered career trajectories for players from Afghanistan and Ireland, catalyzing their rise within International Cricket Council pathways and national programs funded by boards such as the Zimbabwe Cricket and Cricket South Africa. The event prompted discussions within the Marylebone Cricket Club and among administrators at the International Cricket Council about format balance with tournaments like the ICC World Test Championship and affirmed Twenty20's role in globalizing cricket across markets including United States, Canada, and Kenya.
Category:Cricket tournaments