T20 World Cup on Sirasa TV from Sunday (16)

by Staff Writer 14-10-2022 | 1:16 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st) - MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd, the Network that owns and operates Sirasa TV, Shakthi TV, TV-1, News 1st, and Stein Studios has been appointed as the Official Television Rights Holders in Sri Lanka for the long-awaited ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, to be held in Australia from October 16 to November 13.

Every one of the 45 exciting matches will be telecast live on Sirasa TV, along with special telecasts on Shakthi TV and TV-1, for the benefit of cricket lovers in Sri Lanka where hopes are high that the island nation’s team will bring home the trophy.

The world’s most coveted T20 title has been won twice by West Indies and once each by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and current defending champions Australia.

The eighth edition of the tournament will be played out across seven cities – Adelaide, Brisbane, Geelong, Hobart, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne which will host the final.

“We are delighted to be able to offer all Sri Lankans the opportunity to enjoy the World Cup on Sirasa TV. CMG has a deep history of strengthening cricket in Sri Lanka, led by our late Chairman Mr. Rajamahendran. And we are proud to continue to take that legacy from strength to strength”, noted Chevaan Daniel, Executive Group Director at Capital Maharaja.

Susara Dinal, CEO of MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd, added: “As Sri Lanka’s largest media organization, MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd is happy to once again entertain Sri Lankans from all walks of life. We are certain that this will be a thrilling tournament that will keep us all on the edges of our seats, especially with our own team in excellent form.”

Sri Lanka and Namibia will kick off the 16-team tournament on Oct. 16 in Geelong. Sri Lanka is scheduled to play the UAE on Oct. 18 and the Netherlands on Oct. 20 in the First Round group stage.

Eight teams – Afghanistan, Australia, England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and South Africa - have already qualified for the Super 12 stageon the strength of their performances at the last T20 World Cup. Eight other teams will be battling it out in two groups of four teams each – Group A comprising Sri Lanka, Namibia, UAE and Netherlands; and Group B featuring West Indies, Scotland, Zimbabwe and Ireland.

The winner and runner-up in each group will join the eight automatic qualifiers in the Super 12 stage consisting of two groups of six teams each. The winner of Group A and Runner-up of Group B will join Afghanistan, Australia, England and New Zealand in Group 1; and the winner of Group B and Runner-up of Group A will join Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and South Africa in Group 2.

The top two teams of Group 1 and Group 2 will advance to the semi-finals.

The final will be on Nov. 13 in Melbourne.