T20 World Cup: UAE stadiums will operate at 70% capacity

For the T20 World Cup, the stadiums in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will operate at 70% of capacity!

Dubai, which hosts matches including the Nov. 14 final, and Sharjah are the two other venues in the UAE.

Some 3,000 fans would be accommodated at Al Amerat stadium in Muscat, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement on Sunday, though the cyclone left streets in the Omani capital underwater, prompted evacuations from coastal areas, and delayed flights in and out of the country.

“The T20 World Cup is the largest sporting event to be held in the region and it will be the biggest global cricket event since the pandemic with fans in stadia,” the ICC said.

“In the UAE all venues will be operating at approximately 70% of maximum seated capacity, whilst Abu Dhabi has also introduced new socially distanced ‘pods’ of a maximum of 4 spectators on their east and west grass mounds,” it said.

The conditions in Oman, where preliminary rounds are due to be played, are still to be fully assessed following Cyclone Shaheen’s aftermath.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen struck coastal areas of Oman, including the capital of Muscat on Sunday, just a week before preliminary round matches of the tournament commences on October 10.

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The 16-team tournament was shifted to the Gulf states amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation in India.

However, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) remains the event host.