Hope for SA to host 2018 World T20?

Cape Town - According to reports, South Africa is the current front-runner in the race to host the next ICC World T20, slated to be staged in 2018.

Indian sports broadcaster, Star Sports, reportedly contacted the ICC to discuss buying the rights to the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Following the success of the 2016 edition of the T20 showpiece, the ICC is eager to take advantage of the popularity of the event.

The ICC’s broadcast partners see South Africa as an ideal venue due to the minimal time difference between South Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

South African sports minister, Fikile Mbalula, has placed a ban on Cricket SA hosting any international events due to a failure to meet transformation targets, but Cricket SA chief executive Haroon Lorgat is hopeful this decision will be reviewed.

However, according to ESPNcricinfo, CSA is working with the government to resolve its issues, and it is believed that the ban on bidding to host world events could be reviewed after the municipal elections in South Africa in August.

Cricket SA CEO Haroon Lorgat commented: “Of course we would be delighted to host any major ICC event, we have proven in the past what a perfect destination South Africa is."

South Africa hosted the 2003 ICC World Cup, the inaugural World T20 in 2007 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2009.