ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 set to commence amid huge anticipation - Press Release issued by International Cricket Council.

Dubai -- October 15, 2021 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by International Cricket Council (ICC)

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Five long years we have had to wait but the ICC Men's T20 World Cup returns on Sunday with 16 teams looking to emulate the West Indies who lifted the trophy in 2016.

It all begins with the first round in which eight teams are split into two pools, from whom the top two will qualify for the Super 12 where they will join the world's top eight sides.

Among the first-round sides are Sri Lanka, who have played and won more matches in ICC Men's T20 World Cup history than any other team, and Bangladesh, the other ever-present among the eight.

Bangladesh will be in action on the opening day against Scotland, but it all kicks off with hosts Oman taking on debutants Papua New Guinea to the Al Amerat Cricket Stadium.

Those four sides are in Group B, while in Group A, Ireland and Netherlands face off in a potentially crucial match on Monday, with Sri Lanka going up against Namibia later in the day.

With 12 games across the first six days, the action will come thick and fast to decide which teams will make it through to the Super 12 where Group 1 looks a blockbuster with defending champions the West Indies, reigning one-day world champions England, and heavyweights Australia and South Africa.

They will be joined by the winners of Group A and the runners-up in Group B.

Meanwhile, in Group 2, inaugural winners India are joined by great rivals Pakistan - who they will face in their opening game - as well as New Zealand and Afghanistan, the emerging force in T20 cricket, plus the winners of Group B and runners-up from Group A.

The Super 12 action kicks off on October 23 with Australia against South Africa, one of the sport's iconic rivalries, followed by a day/night affair at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium between England and the West Indies - a repeat of the 2016 final when Carlos Brathwaite announced himself to the world.

The experienced Windies side includes three players who featured in the first T20 World Cup - the Universe Boss Chris Gayle, as well as all-rounder Dwayne Bravo and fast bowler Ravi Rampaul.

They are three of the seven players who return having also appeared in the first edition. The other four are Bangladesh duo Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez and India opener Rohit Sharma.

Those players could all have a big influence on the final outcome, but as Brathwaite...