World’s T20 superstars arrive in Adelaide

The biggest global sporting event hosted in Australia in 2022 hits Adelaide this week – and the world champions are here to play a must-win clash.

Current ICC Men’s T20 champions Australia play Afghanistan tomorrow night in a match that will determine if they proceed to semi-finals and defend their title.

Adelaide Oval is expected to be a sea of green and gold as fans converge to cheer their team on, while the Afghani supporters will have plenty of voice for their superstar spinner, and Adelaide Striker, Rashid Khan.

The Australian and Bangladeshi players will be officially welcomed to Adelaide this morning in a Host City Welcome function from 10am under the Gawler Place canopy in Rundle Mall.

Adelaide is hosting some of the world’s best cricketers over seven T20 World Cup games, including last night’s blockbuster clash between Virat Kohli’s Indian outfit and the dangerous Bangladesh.

The city is also in full preparations for the first ever T20 World Cup semi-final to be held at Adelaide Oval next week - another huge coup for South Australia with this event expected to draw a crowd of more than 40,000.

An estimated 100,000 spectators are expected across the seven matches, with organisers expecting more than 40 per cent of the ticketholders to be from interstate and overseas – a huge boost for the local tourism sector.

Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said so far this is one of the most evenly contested T20 World Cups in history.

"With 15 of the 16 teams having currently recorded at least one win, Adelaide now gets to play its part," she said.

"We’ve just seen a great double-header yesterday and tomorrow we get to see Australia take on Afghanistan in what is a must-win for the home team, as well as New Zealand going head-to-head with Ireland.

"Then we have more action over the weekend with Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa and the Netherlands all playing on Sunday in a family-friendly time slot – an amazing opportunity to watch quality cricket right here in our own backyard.

"And then next week, we round it out with a semi-final on November 10 – what a showcase of world-class T20 cricket."

Michelle Enright, CEO Local Organising Committee said the crowds at Adelaide Oval are very excited to welcome the superstars of world cricket, and for the amazing atmosphere that T20 cricket brings.

"With Australia now needing a big win, we can expect to see a high intensity clash tomorrow night, with plenty on offer for the fans," she said.