Fourth-placed Toronto Nationals and not Bangla Tigers, who finished a spot higher in the points table, have advanced to the second Qualifier of the 2024 Global T20 Canada league after their Eliminator was washed out without a ball being bowled.
What is the incident?
Bangla Tigers Mississauga and Toronto Nationals, who finished third and fourth in the table respectively, were scheduled to play each other in the GT20 Eliminator, scheduled for August 9. However, inclement weather delayed the start of the game.
According to reports, the umpires reduced the game to a one-over-a-side clash to determine the winner, but the weather conditions did not permit the Super Over, and the match was cancelled. It is to be noted that various tournaments have provisions to determine a winner in playoff matches via a Super Over if rain does not allow the game to be completed in regulation time.
Bangla Tigers skipper Shakib Al Hasan allegedly refused to play the Super Over, as a washout would have ensured his team progressed to Qualifier 2 courtesy of finishing higher in the league table. Due to his refusal, it was announced by GT20 Canada that Toronto would qualify for Qualifier 2 automatically. The posts were reportedly deleted.
The Toronto Nationals will face the Brampton Wolves in Qualifier 2 of GT20 Canada Season 4 🙌#GT20Canada | #GlobalT20 | #CricketsNorth pic.twitter.com/wZRtjAc1m1
— GT20 Canada (@GT20Canada) August 10, 2024
GT20 Canada release statement on Toronto Nationals' qualification
On Saturday, GT20 Canada confirmed that Toronto Nationals would take on Brampton Wolves in the second Qualifier. The league provided the following statement as an explanation. "The eliminator match of GT20 Canada Season 4 between the Mississauga Bangla Tigers and the Toronto Nationals was delayed due to rain.
"After repeated inspections, the umpires along with the match referee decided, going by the tournament regulations, that a super over would be played between the two teams at 7:30 pm with the toss to be held at 7:10pm.
"At the time for the toss, the Toronto Nationals captain was present, but the Bangla Tigers team refused to appear. The match referee explained the plausible consequences of the said action to the captain and thereafter the umpire subsequently called off the match.
"Based on the report of the match referee, the Tournament Technical Committee unanimously decided to award the match to the Toronto Nationals who advanced to play the Brampton Wolves in the second qualifier."
The first Qualifier between Brampton and Montreal Tigers was washed out as well, with the latter advancing through to the finals after finishing first in the table.
The second Qualifier will be played on Saturday, with the final to be held a day later.
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