T20 World Cup: LiveScore's ultimate guide to the tournament

It will be raining sixes and fours when the T20 World Cup begins on Sunday.

After an extra year of waiting due to coronavirus, the world’s biggest hitters gather in the UAE aiming to land the shortest international format’s biggest prize.

Not sure how the tournament works or who is taking part? We have all information you need.

When does it start?

The T20 World Cup gets going later today when Oman play Papua New Guinea in Al Amerat.

There is a week of action involving some of the cricketing world’s smaller nations as they battle to make it to the latter stages.

England’s first game is not until Saturday October 23, when they meet the reigning champions the West Indies in a repeat of the 2016 final.

What is the format?

The first week of action sees eight teams do battle in the first round, each bidding to join the eight top-ranked teams in the world in the Super 12s stage.

This round is made of two groups of four with each team playing each other in a round-robin format. 

The top two from each group will then progress to the Super 12s and be placed in groups alongside the bigger nations.

Those two groups of six are again played in a round-robin format with the top two teams at the end of the fixtures going through to the semi-finals.

There, it is a straight knockout tie with the winners meeting in the final on Sunday November 14.

What are the groups?

Group A in the first round sees Ireland, Namibia, Netherlands and Sri Lanka battle to make it to the Super 12s.

Bangladesh, Oman, Papua New Guinea and Scotland then make up Group B.

The top-ranked side from Group A and the second-placed side from Group B will join Australia, England, South Africa and the West Indies in Group 1 of the Super 12s.

Meanwhile Afghanistan, India, New Zealand and Pakistan await the other two teams qualifying from the first round.

Where can you watch it?

All of the games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket in the UK.

After opening up against the Windies, England face a qualifier on October 27, Australia on October 30, the other qualifier on November 1 and finish against South Africa on November 6.

Other notable matches include India’s clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on October 24, as well as a repeat of the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand on Halloween.

What are the venues?

The World Cup was originally scheduled to be held in India during October and November 2020.

But the coronavirus pandemic saw it postponed and due to India’s continued struggles with the disease, it was moved to the UAE.

All the games will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah — apart from four games from the first round which are taking place in Muscat, Oman.

The final will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Who are the favourites?

India head into the tournament as the favourites given the phenomenal strength in depth they possess in the shortest format of the game.

England are the second favourites, with holders West Indies and Southern Hemisphere neighbours Australia and New Zealand also among the leading contenders.