Stadiums in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will operate at 70 per cent of their capacity for the Twenty20 World Cup.

Stadiums in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will operate at 70 per cent of their capacity for the Twenty20 World Cup, the organisers said, though conditions in Oman, where preliminary rounds are due to be played, have still to be fully assessed following a cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen struck coastal areas of Oman, including the capital of Muscat on Sunday, two weeks before preliminary round matches of the tournament commence on October 17.

Some 3,000 fans would be accommodated at Al Amerat stadium in Muscat, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement on Sunday, though the cyclone left streets in the Omani capital under water, prompted evacuations from coastal areas and delayed flights in and out of the country.

The 16-team tournament was shifted to the Gulf states as a result of a surge of Covid-19 infections in India, but the Indian cricket board (BCCI) remains the event host.