The ICC T20 World Cup 2024’s trophy is set to visit three major cities in Pakistan after the Trophy Tour began last month in the United States of America, where the first match of the mega event will be played.
The trophy reached Pakistan on Wednesday night and it is currently in the capital of the country, Islamabad, where it is on display in front of the National Assembly.
In the three-day tour, the trophy, which is termed “Out of this World”, will visit Lahore and Abbottabad as well.
The Trophy will reach the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on Saturday. On the same day, Pakistan will play New Zealand in the last match of the five-match T20I series. The trophy would be on display at the Gaddafi Stadium during the match.
Remember, the elusive trophy will visit a total of 15 countries across four continents where it will be graced by legendary cricketers in some of the best stadiums in the world.
Apart from renowned cricketing nations, the trophy will also visit emerging countries like Brazil, Argentina, Canada and others so that people can connect with the sport and raise their interest in it.
Pakistan is in Group A with arch-rivals India and the two sides will take on one another in one of the most anticipated matches of the World Cup on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.
Groups for T20 World Cup 2024
Group A: India, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, United States
Group B: England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland, Oman
Group C: New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New Guinea
Group D: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal
It is worth mentioning that 20 qualifying teams are divided into four groups of five, from which the top two teams of every group will make their way to the Super 8 round.
In that stage, qualifying teams will once again be divided into two groups of four, from which the top two teams will make their way to the semi-final and then the winners will play the final.
This will be the first time since 2010 that a T20 World Cup, which was won by England, will be hosted in the West Indies.
On the other hand, this is the first time an event as big as the World Cup will be hosted by the US.
England are the defending champions after clinching the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, beating Pakistan in the final.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.
