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Cricket enthusiasts may soon enjoy the thrill of the game at the Commonwealth Games once again, specifically through the Women's T20 format. In a statement released this past Monday, the ICC revealed it has formally requested the organizers of the 2022 Birmingham Games to include an international women's T20 tournament.
2022ರಲ್ಲಿ ಬರ್ಮಿಂಗಹ್ಯಾಂ ನಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಯಲಿರುವ ಕಾಮನ್ವೆಲ್ತ್ ಗೇಮ್ಸ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಅಂತಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಟಿ20 ಮಹಿಳಾ ಕ್ರಿಕೆಟ್ ಪಂದ್ಯಾವಳಿ ಸೇರಿಸುವಂತೆ ಇಂಟರನ್ಯಾಷನಲ್ ಕ್ರಿಕೆಟ್ ಕೌನ್ಸಿಲ್ (ಐಸಿಸಿ) ಕಾಮನ್ವೆಲ್ತ್ ಸಂಘಟಕರಿಗೆ ತನ್ನ ಬಿಡ್ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿದೆ. ಸೋಮವಾರ ಐಸಿಸಿ ತನ್ನ ಪ್ರಕಟಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ನೀಡಿದೆ.
Partnering with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the ICC has put forward this bid, which, if accepted, will integrate women's T20 cricket into the Commonwealth program. Historically, the sport has only been featured once in the Games, during the 1998 event in Kuala Lumpur, which was won by South Africa.
The primary goal of this bid is to expand the global reach of cricket and promote the empowerment of young women through sports. According to the ICC, this is a pivotal step forward for the overall growth of the game.
The ICC has confirmed that its board and members are unanimous in their desire to see women's cricket at the 2022 Games. The proposed plan submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation consists of a 16-match schedule spanning eight days at two different locations, featuring eight teams playing four matches each.
ಎಂಟು ಟಿ20 ಮಹಿಳಾ ತಂಡಗಳು ತಲಾ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಪಂದ್ಯಗಳಂತೆ ಎರಡು ಹಂತಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಒಟ್ಟಾರೆ 8 ದಿನಗಳ ಅವಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಎರಡು ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ 16 ಪಂದ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಆಡುವ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಮನ್ವೆಲ್ತ್ ಗೇಮ್ಸ್ ಫೆಡರೇಶನ್ಗೆ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson highlighted Birmingham as an ideal host city due to its rich cricketing heritage. He pointed out that with about 23% of the local population connected to the sport, hosting the tournament there would provide a massive boost to the profile of women's cricket.
Venues such as Derbyshire, Worcester, and Edgbaston are being considered for the matches. Furthermore, preparations are already underway to ensure that all cricket fixtures are broadcast live on the BBC, alongside the other Commonwealth sporting events.
The Commonwealth organizers have asked the ICC to suggest a lineup of eight T20 teams. This follows complications from the 1998 games regarding the West Indies, as the entity represents multiple nations. To avoid similar confusion, the organizers have requested that only one specific country from the West Indies be nominated.
If everything goes as planned, the 2022 Games will host a spectacular women's T20 cricket festival. Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of the Indian women's team, expressed her excitement, stating that including cricket in the Commonwealth Games is a wonderful development that will attract more fans, provide more playing opportunities, and popularize women's T20 cricket worldwide.