MTV Channel secures ICC T20 World Cup 2022 broadcasting rights

Capital Maharaja Group MTV Channel Group Director Chevaan Daniel (second from left) 

addresses the media briefing. Also present (from left): Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan De Silva, Capital Maharaja Group Director/Group CEO Sunil Kanojia and Capital Maharaja Group MTV Channel CEO Susara Dinal – Pic by Upul Abayasekara

By Zahida Rizvi

Sirasa TV, Shakthi TV, TV-1, News 1st and Stein Studios which falls under the umbrella of MTV Channel Ltd., is officially claiming broadcast rights for the long-awaited and on-going ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

All the 45 thrilling matches will be televised live on Sirasa TV, Shakthi TV and TV1 in Sinhala, Tamil and English respectively, for the benefit of cricket fans in Sri Lanka where expectations are high that the island nation’s squad would win the championship.

The most sought T20 tournament in the world has been won by West Indies twice, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, and the current champions Australia. The eighth iteration of the competition will take place in seven different cities: Adelaide, Brisbane, Geelong, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney, which will also serve as the site of the championship match.

Capital Maharaja Executive Group Director Chevaan Daniel said: “We are delighted to be able to offer all Sri Lankans the opportunity to enjoy the World Cup on Sirasa TV. CMG has a deep history of strengthening cricket in Sri Lanka, led by our late Chairman Rajamahendran. And we are proud to continue to take that legacy from strength to strength.” 

MTV Channel CEO Susara Dinal said: “As Sri Lanka’s largest media organisation, MTV Channel Ltd. is happy to once again entertain Sri Lankans from all walks of life. We are certain that this will be a thrilling tournament that will keep us all on the edges of our seats, especially with our own team in excellent form.”

The 16-team tournament which began on 16 October will conclude on 13 November. Sri Lanka is grouped with Namibia, United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands.

Based on their accomplishments at the previous T20 World Cup, eight teams – Afghanistan, Australia, England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and South Africa – have already advanced to the second stage. 

Moreover, eight other teams will be battling it out in two groups of four teams each – Group A comprising Sri Lanka, Namibia, UAE, and Netherlands; and Group B featuring West Indies, Scotland, Zimbabwe and Ireland.

The winner and runner-up in each group will join the eight automatic qualifiers in a second round of two groups of six teams each. The winner of Group A and Runner-up of Group B will join Afghanistan, Australia, England, and New Zealand in Group 1 along with the winner of Group B and Group A’s runner-up, will join Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and South Africa, in Group 2.