The T20 World Cup 2024 features a three-stage format, culminating in the final on June 29 in Barbados. Initially, 20 teams battled it out in the preliminary round, divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group then progressed to the Super Eight stage. Here's where things get interesting and controversial as well. The International Cricket Council (ICC) implemented a unique rule for the Super Eights. The top eight ranked teams entering the tournament were pre-assigned to specific groups, essentially guaranteeing them their placement and playing venues in the next stage. This meant that regardless of a team's final ranking within their preliminary group (first or second), their Super Eight position was already predetermined.
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This decision has sparked significant criticism within the cricket community. Many, including veteran players like Mitchell Starc and former England player Mark Butcher, believe it diminishes the competitive spirit of the tournament. Concerns have been raised about potential favoritism towards higher-ranked teams, specifically India, who not only know their Super Eight group but also their potential semifinal venue and date.
Butcher against Super 8's pre-seeding
Butcher, in particular, voiced his disapproval of the pre-determined structure, questioning the ICC's motives.
“That whole thing from start to finish, from the idea of where you finish first or second in the group stage didn't matter where you ended up in Super Eights. And then one team knows which group it is going to be in the Super Eights and where its semifinal will be, meaning that the other team finishing second also knows where its semifinal will be is extraordinary,” Butcher told Wisden Cricket Weekly Podcast.
"How do you organise a competition around the fact that one team knows exactly, should everything go to plan, that it will be playing their semifinal on a particular day and at a particular venue, when everybody in the opposite group has no idea? And that is what it should be. You shouldn't have any clue. The group thing was pre-ordained simply because there was no seeding between finishing first or second in your group stage and that is wrong. I found that astonishing, and we all know why that is the case. It is because for the TV audiences, as far as India are concerned, pay the bills and therefore were kind of promised or delivered a scenario where they would exactly know where they would play their semifinal should they reach it. I find that incredible," he added.
Mark Butcher's criticism of the ICC's pre-determined Super Eight format didn't stop there. He further expressed his disapproval of a rule that restricts commentators from voicing their opinions on the tournament's format. This suggests a potential attempt to silence dissent and raises questions about transparency within the ICC.
"You won't [hear anything from the broadcasters] because they're working for the ICC and the ICC won't allow any form of dissent from the people that it asked to come and work for it so you don't hear any criticism of anything. It's not allowed, banned," he further stated.
Mitchell Starc, Australia's pace spearhead, had previously challenged the logic behind the seeding system. He couldn't understand why his team, despite dominating their group stage with a clean record, was placed in the B2 position for the Super Eights.
“I think there's a question to be asked about pre-seeding. I'm not sure I'm a fan of that,” Starc had said.
The highly anticipated Super Eight stage kicks off on Wednesday, June 19 in Antigua, with the USA facing off against South Africa in the opening match.
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