T20 World Cup 2024: Will ICC relocate Matches away from Florida amid Flood?

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The incessant rain in Florida has been hazardous not just for the locals but it is going to make an impact in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 matches.

Three crucial Group A matches are set to be played in Lauderhill but at the moment, the possibility of having a game looks difficult. The rain has ravaged the state and there is a flood warning, with the roads already waterlogged in various areas.

Three more games are scheduled at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, on June 14, 15, and 16. USA is set to take on Ireland on Friday, India play Canada on Saturday and then Pakistan have a match against Ireland on Sunday at the Lauderhill stadium. The Sri Lanka and Nepal match was washed out, ensuring the elimination of the Lankans from the tournament.

Now amid the flood warning, fans are demanding ICC to move away the matches from Florida. Pictures and videos of the waterlogged streets have gone viral, leading fans to demand the ICC relocate the remaining matches.

These matches are crucial for the tournament, especially with USA and Pakistan aiming for the Super 8 stage. The USA will face Ireland on June 14 in a key Group A match. A win or even a washout will secure their spot in the Super 8, as they currently have five points from four matches.

Pakistan, on the other hand, stands third in the group with two points from three matches. They need Ireland to beat the USA to stay in contention. Should Ireland win, Pakistan must also win their last match against Ireland on June 16 to advance.

But as the rain and flood look set to spoilsport, the fans are demanding the apex body to relocate the matches to another stadium.

T20 World Cup 2024: Will ICC relocate Florida Matches?

Although fans demand a relocation, ICC is unlikely to shift the matches to anywhere else for purely logistical and ethical reasons.

Two other stadiums apart from Florida are conducting T20 World Cup matches. The stadium in New York has already started to be dismantled after the India and USA game. The other stadium in Texas is available but shifting the entire system to Dallas (Texas) is a major challenge. All the teams are in Florida and now the entire operation needs to be relocated to conduct matches there, which has logistical constraints.

Also, ICC can't shift the matches midway for ethical reasons. In that case, teams like Sri Lanka may also demand a rescheduling of their washed-out match against Nepal, which can be another hazard.

Hence the fans will have to pray for the weather to improve ahead of the T20 World Cup matches. Sadly, the forecast is not too encouraging at the moment.