ICC unveils 2012 World Twenty20 schedule

 ICC unveils 2012 World Twenty20 scheduleDubai, Sep 22: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the match schedule and unveiled the event logo of the 2012 World Twenty20, which will be staged in Sri Lanka from September 18 to October 7.

Reigning champion England will start its title defence at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on September 21, against one of the two qualifiers for the tournament.

Stuart Broad's side will complete its opening group commitments two days later against 2007 champion India at the same venue.

Australia, chasing the one global trophy to have eluded them, will go head-to-head with the other qualifier in Colombo on 19 September, part of a double-header that also features India and a qualifier.

Sri Lanka, which lost to England in the semi-final of last year's tournament in the West Indies, will open its campaign against Zimbabwe under lights in Hambantota on the first day of the tournament (September 18) before taking on South Africa at the same venue on September 22.

If Sri Lanka reaches the Super Eight, it will then go on to play in Pallekele before moving to Colombo if it qualifies for the knock-out stage.

Pakistan has been grouped with New Zealand and Bangladesh, and will play its matches in Pallekele on September 23 and 25 respectively.

Pallekele will also host the New Zealand-Bangladesh match on September 21.

If everything goes according to pre-tournament seedings then Pakistan and India will lock horns in a Super Eight match in Colombo on September 30.

The tournament will include two teams qualifying from the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012, which will be staged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from March 13-24.

"It will be exciting to see who eventually qualifies. In 2010, Afghanistan made history by qualifying to play on the global stage which was great reward for them and the development of the game," ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said.

The event logo - "Modern Spin" - was also unveiled by Lorgat.

Designed by Australian creative firm Witekite, the logo incorporates and amalgamates the rounded look of the Sinhalese Script. The letter "T" forms a player which leads into the "2" while the "0" incorporates a cricket ball.

The colours of the logo, with strong reds and oranges, are seen in both nature and Sri Lankan culture and arts, with their presence in the logo giving them a cricket "spin". It has a natural sense of movement due to its fluid lines and forward angles.

Lorgat said that he was delighted to reveal the logo that reflects the culture of Sri Lanka.

"The event now has a formal identity and we will use it to promote this exciting and entertaining event," he added.

The logo will be used on an ongoing basis over the next 12 months and will feature on publicity and promotional material during the build-up to and throughout what will be the fourth ICC World Twenty20.

Tickets are planned to go on sale to the public from March 1 and will be available via website and box office sales in Sri Lanka.

The ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket will be appointing a company to manage the ticket sales process and will jointly determine a sales policy that will ensure equitable access to purchase tickets for local and overseas fans alike. (ANI)