The International Cricket Council has announced significant changes to the schedule and venue arrangements for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. In a statement issued after the completion of the Super Eight stage, the ICC informed all stakeholders about the revised arrangements for the knockout matches.
According to the statement, the first semi-final may be held either in Colombo or Kolkata, and the final decision will be made based on specific conditions. The ICC clarified that if Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, it will play Semi-Final One in Colombo on March 4.
It was further stated that if Pakistan fails to qualify but Sri Lanka secures a place in the semi-finals and faces a team other than India, then Sri Lanka will play Semi-Final One in Colombo. The decision has been framed in the context of logistical considerations and spectator arrangements.
The ICC also made it clear that if neither Pakistan nor Sri Lanka qualifies for the semi-finals, then Semi-Final One will be held in Kolkata, while Semi-Final Two will take place in Mumbai. Additionally, if India reaches the semi-finals, it will play its match in Mumbai, except in the event of a clash against Pakistan, in which case the match will be shifted to Colombo.
