Explained: T20 World Cup 2024 New Unique Format

20 Teams Face-off against each other as we look at the detailed explanation of the new and unique T20 World Cup 2024 format. 

In only a few days, the Cricket world is going to witness one of the most exciting and unique tournaments, the T20 World Cup 2024. The 9th edition of the T20 World Cup shall kick-start on June 1st with the hosts USA taking on Canada. It’s a unique tournament in multiple ways. This is the first time a T20 World Cup will be played in multiple countries with the USA and West Indies being the hosts. Also, unlike previous years, the tournament shall witness 20 teams participating in the tournament – thus making it the first of its kind.

Given there are 20 teams participating in the tournament, the format has also taken a unique shape. For example, the 20 teams are divided into five teams of four groups each. Group A has India, Pakistan, Ireland, USA, and Canada. B Group has Australia, England, Scotland, Namibia, and Oman. Group C has New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, and PNG. Whereas Group D has Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Netherlands, and Nepal. Here are the groups as defined for T20 World Cup 2024. 

A Group: India, Pakistan, Ireland, USA & Canada

B Group: England, Australia, Scotland, Namibia & Oman

C Group: West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda & Papua New Guinea

D Group: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands & Nepal

T20 World Cup 2024 – New Format Explained in Detail

If one can observe, every group has two strong teams, and a third challenger team that can upset the top 2 teams. Whereas the other two teams are newbies who are trying to make a mark in the cricketing world. Take Group A, for example, there is India and Pakistan as the top 2 strong teams. Then there is Ireland as the challenger team, and the USA and Canada are decent teams in the groups. 

Given the setup of each group, the top 2 teams from each group will qualify for the Super 8 stage. This is after each team plays 4 group stage matches. With 8 teams entering the Super 8 stage, they shall be divided into four teams of two groups each. This is where things get interesting as Groups are almost pre-defined irrespective of the standings. 

Pre-seeding of Teams for Super 8

Given the logistical and operations challenges and to facilitate the ticket bookings, ICC has already pre-seeded the teams irrespective of group standings. For example, India and Pakistan are A1 and A2, irrespective of their standings. Similarly, England and Australia are B1 and B2 respectively. New Zealand and the West Indies are C1 and C2 respectively. Whereas South Africa and Sri Lanka are D1 and D2 respectively. 

Again, from a logistical and operations point of view, teams from each group are also finalized. If the teams that enter the Super 8 are the same as above, then India (A1), Australia (B2), New Zealand (C1) & Sri Lanka (D2) shall be placed in Group 1. Whereas Pakistan (A2), England (B1), West Indies (C2), and South Africa (D1) shall be placed in Group 2.

If the top 2 teams from each respective group are the ones mentioned above, there won’t be any change in the seeding that has been done. However, in case, any other team finishes in the Top 2, that team shall replace the team mentioned above. For example, if Bangladesh and South Africa finish as the top 2 teams from Group D, then South Africa shall continue to remain D1, but Bangladesh shall now be D2. 

Semi-final and Final 

Post Super 8, the top 2 teams from each Group will then proceed to the Semi-finals. These teams will be a total of 3 matches in the Super 8 stage.  The semi-finals shall be played in Guyana and Trinidad on June 27. Whereas the final shall be played on June 29 in Barbados. 

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