T20 World Cup being held in UAE helps Pakistan, says Kamran Akmal

The decision to move the T20 World Cup from India to the United Arab Emirates will benefit Pakistan, according to Kamran Akmal. The Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman thinks his country's experience of playing in the UAE will help their chances of glory.

 This year's T20 World Cup will take place in October and November after rising Covid-19 cases in India forced the switch.

 Pakistan played their home games in the UAE for much of the last decade and could be considered lively outsiders thanks to the location change.

While India are the favourites to lift the trophy at 3.25 with bet365, Babar Azam's side can be backed at around 9.0 with them and other online betting sites in Pakistan.

Akmal, 39, thinks it will certainly boost their chances and could be a leveller for other nations as well.

"Pakistan should have the advantage in the T20 World Cup. We've played international cricket for 9 to 10 years in the UAE.

"That makes Pakistan the most experienced side under the conditions," said Akmal speaking with the YouTube channel 'My Master Cricket Coach'.

 Many of the country's top stars have also had a recent look at conditions after the UAE was used to host the remainder of the Pakistan Super League.

 The Likes of Babar, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Hafeez all featured in the rescheduled campaign, which eventually saw Multan Sultans secured the title with a final victory over Peshawar Zalmi.

 He added: "Not only players from India and Pakistan but from other countries will also benefit going into the T20 World Cup, since a lot of them play in both PSL and IPL. 

"Given the conditions in the UAE, Afghanistan can also prove to be a dangerous side, looking at the players that they have. So, it is difficult to pick a favourite for the T20 World Cup."

India are also using the UAE to host the remainder of the IPL this September after that tournament was also forced to postpone in May.

The T20 World Cup will now follow the IPL. India are still in charge of organising the World Cup even though it is no longer on their home soil.

Meanwhile, cricket's world governing body, the ICC, is apparently seeking an additional stadium to complement the three grounds that would be used in the UAE. The grounds are Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the Dubai International Stadium, and Sheikh Zayed Stadium, which are all based in Abu Dhabi.

Another option now being looked at by the BCCI and the ICC is Oman. It could now be used following infrastructure improvements in Muscat.

Oman have qualified for this year's tournament and could play host to the first round of matches, which would include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Oman, Namibia, and Scotland.