Even as the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is closing in on its climax, the UAE is gearing up to host the much-awaited T20 World Cup. The qualifying round will see eight teams fighting it out from October 17 to 22. The top eight teams are already qualified for the Super 12 round and those sides, during this period will get into the groove with warm-up matches.

The schedule for the same has been announced and the matches will be played only on two days, October 18 and 20 with four matches taking place on each day. Every side will get to play two matches each in the lead up to the Super 12 round starting from October 23.

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi was in awe of Virat Kohli’s dedication during a net session. On Tuesday, October 5, Kohli, who’s currently playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2021 Indian Premier League, posted a video where he can be seen batting in the nets. Kohli must be high on confidence as the Challengers have already made their way through to the playoffs.

Although Kohli has strained a wee bit with the bat in hand, he has led the team with dignity. Placed at No.3 in the points table, RCB are set to play their next league game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday, October 6 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. They also have the chance of toppling Chennai Super Kings, led by MS Dhoni, to the second position in the table.

Australia’s white-ball captain Aaron Finch has confirmed David Warner will open the batting alongside him for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021, which is set to begin on October 17. The news comes after the southpaw was dropped from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Warner’s form this season has not been good for the franchise in orange and that has led to the management sacking him as the captain during the India leg of the IPL this year.

Since then, the southpaw also withdrew from Australia’s two .