ICC Events

Malaysia eager to host T20 World Cup in 2023-31 cycle

Online Desk

26 Jun 20 16:55:36

Image : Collected

|| Desk Report ||

Malaysia have expressed their keen desires to establish itself as a hub for cricket’s shortest format for which the Southeast Asian country eyes staging a T20 World Cup during the 2023-31 cycle of International Cricket Council (ICC) events.

But there is a big hurdle in ICC’s regulation that no Associates nation – teams outside the 12 Full Members – has been the designated host of a World Cup but momentum is building within the ICC to spread cricket’s flagship events beyond its heartland.

During the current cycle, the six global men’s events are being staged in the so-called ‘big three’ of Australia, England or India – the sport’s biggest markets.

The U.S. and the West Indies are set to bid to co-host a T20 World Cup in either 2026 or 2030 and, according to sources, appear the favorites to nab one of those tournaments. There has long been a push by cricket administrators for a World Cup to be played in the lucrative market of the U.S. in an effort to grow the game there.

That would seemingly make Malaysia’s prospects tougher although it has experience in hosting big cricket events, including the 2008 Under-19 World Cup.

Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) president Mahinda Vallipuram confirmed it had submitted an expression of interest to the ICC to host a major event with the formal bidding process expected to start soon. The ICC was expected to announce the hosts for the 2023-31 cycle by the end of the year but it could be delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vallipuram believed the time was right for an Associates nation to host a leading cricket event.

“Where world cricket is today, the fan base is increasing all the time,” said Mahinda Vallipuram.

“It’s a natural step to consider taking the sport to the Associates to further grow the game,” Vallipuram told media.

“It’s about impacting the game beyond 2031. The quality of the game has improved and will further do so by promoting it beyond the traditional countries,” he added.

Vallipuram believed Malaysia could solely host a T20 World Cup although partnering with neighbor Singapore and possibly Thailand could be alternative options if needed.

Malaysian cricket authorities are optimistic about winning a bid fueled by a visit earlier in the year from ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney and then general manager Campbell Jamieson, which included a meeting with then Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

A subsequent official letter from Mahathir supported a potential bid, which could open up invaluable government grants if Malaysia wins out.

Through its British historical footprint, Malaysia already boasts enviable cricket infrastructure with its facilities scrutinized in recent years by Pakistan, whose women’s team hosted limited-overs series at Kinrara Oval in Kuala Lumpur against England and Australia.

Malaysian cricket administrators have long attempted to lure Pakistan, who were cricketing vagabonds last decade. Malaysia was in the running to become a home base for Pakistan but lost out to the UAE and also held similar discussions with Afghanistan after it became a Full Member in 2017.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had initially contemplated hosting a two-Test series in 2018 against Australia in Malaysia before settling on the UAE.

Malaysia’s increased profile underlined its requisite facilities needed to host top-shelf international cricket, according to Vallipuram.

“Over the years we have certainly positioned ourselves to host elite cricket,” he said.

“Just within Kuala Lumpur there are at least seven grounds that could be used for a big event and with temporary facilities capable of holding up to 25,000 spectators - something akin to grounds in the U.K,” he added.