BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Barbados’s Prime Minister Mia Mottley has lauded the country’s “high level of organisation” after Kensington Oval was awarded the final of this year’s Twenty20 World Cup.
In a statement Friday, Mottley said the country had “firmly established itself as a cricketing mecca” while the storied Kensington Oval had cemented its place among the world’s leading sporting venues.
The International Cricket Council announced Friday that Barbados could host the final of the June 1-29 showpiece, in addition to three Super Eight second-round games and five group stage matches.
“It is with a sense of pride and excitement that I join cricketing fans here and across the region in celebrating Barbados being selected to host the International Cricket Council 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup Final,” Mottley said.
“That Barbados will host this final as well as eight other games throughout the tournament — three of which are Super 8 (quarter-finals) games — is nothing short of a privilege and an honour.
“It is a historic moment for our country as well, as this will be the third global cricketing final Kensington Oval has hosted, confirming its place among the world’s premiere sporting venues.
“As a Government we believe this is a testament to the high level of organisation Barbados has displayed throughout the years, having hosted the 2007 Men’s Cricket World Cup Final and the 2010 Men’s T20 World Cup Final.”
Barbados will be one of six Caribbean host venues for the ninth edition of the ICC T20 World Cup, with Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines all hosting matches.
Dominica had also been announced as a host venue but pulled out last month, citing insufficient time to complete required stadium upgrades.