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In a notable development ahead of the T20 World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have made arrangements for the second semifinal to ensure the match concludes on the same day. Unlike the first semifinal, which has a reserve day, the second semifinal will have an additional four hours allotted for play if needed.
The decision comes after concerns were raised regarding the winner of the second semifinal potentially playing the final on consecutive days due to continuous rain. To avoid such scenarios, an extra 250 minutes have been allocated to the match, ensuring that it concludes on the scheduled day itself.
The specifics of the playing conditions highlight that the first semifinal, set in Trinidad on June 26, has a reserved day in case of rain, while the second semifinal in Guyana on June 27 will not have a reserve day. Instead, the match can be extended by up to eight hours to achieve a result.
A source familiar with the decision mentioned, "All four teams have exactly the same opportunity to finish a game. For performance reasons, to ensure teams do not have to 'play, travel, play' on consecutive days, the decision was taken to allocate the additional time for the second semi-final immediately post the game."
This arrangement aims to provide fair playing conditions for all teams and ensures that fans in the stadium have the best chance of witnessing a result on the day of the match. Additionally, in the unlikely event of day-long rain in Guyana, the team that finished higher in the Super Eight stage will progress, as per the playing conditions.
This proactive approach by the ICC and CWI reflects their commitment to organizing a successful and competitive T20 World Cup, addressing potential challenges such as weather interruptions and scheduling conflicts.
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