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* Eight teams of two allrounders from each of the Test playing countries
* The teams are divided into two groups of 4 teams, with each team playing against all the other teams in their group
* Each of the 12 Group games will be played as 8 overs a side, the two semi finals will be played as 10 overs a side and the final will be a 12 over a side match
* In addition to the two allrounders, the fielding team will consist of 18 fielders including two wicket keepers who will be rotated after each match
* Each match is decided by both teams playing one innings each with the winner being the team scoring the most runs in that innings
b) Schedule of Rules
1. The Tournament shall be played according to the Laws of Cricket 2000 as laid down by the ICC and as amended and adopted by the Double Wicket World Championship in terms of its Bye-Law save and except for the international specific-provisions which shall apply in respect of the Tournament
2. The Tournament shall comprise two groups each of four teams, each of two players
3. Each team taking part in the Tournament shall play each of the other teams in its group i.e. three matches
4. The matches to be played in the Tournament are set out in the fixture list in this document
5. Each match in the Tournament shall be decided by each team playing one innings and the winner shall be deemed to be the team scoring the most runs in that innings. The team batting second must play their full quota of overs
6. Each innings shall consist of 8 overs with each member of the fielding team bowling 4 alternate overs. However, the semi-final will be 10-overs a side and the final 12 overs a side. It remains the umpires prerogative to reduce the number of overs per innings if necessary
7. During each innings, the two members of the batting team shall play according to the normal rules of cricket as set out above, except that each team will complete his quota of 8 overs irrespective of their batsmen’s dismissals. However, each dismissal would cost a deduction of 10 runs. For Group matches the fielding side must bowl their quota of overs i.e. 8 overs in 32 minutes. The time for the semi-finals will be 40 minutes and the final will be 48 minutes. In case the fielding side does not complete their quota of overs in the specific time i.e. if they bowl one over short they would be entitled to bat the same number of overs, which they bowl to the other team. Ten minutes break will be observed between each innings
8. Short pitch bowling: If the ball passes, or would have passed, above the shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease, either umpire shall call and signal a no ball
9. For fielding purposes, 18 fielders including two wicket keepers will be selected, who will be rotated after each match. For the final match the wicket keeper will be selected with the mutual consent of the "playing pair". In case of disagreement the keeper will be decided through draw of lot. In the case of the wicket keeper injuring himself, he will be replaced by the other wicket keeper
10. Fielding Restrictions: For the first 4 overs for pool matches, 5 overs for semi-finals and 6 overs for final not more than 2 fielders will be outside the 30-yards circle, for the remaining overs there must be four fielders in the circle at the instant of delivery. There may not be less than three fieldsmen and not more than five fieldsmen on the leg side, at the instant of delivery
11. Support Fielders/Wicket Keeper: Each team, when fielding, shall be provided with eight fielders and a wicket keeper
12. At the conclusion of the Group matches, two semi-finals will be played as under:
* Top team of Group A with second team of Group B
* Top team of Group B with second team of Group A
13. In case the scheduled semi-finals are not played/completed it will be decided by the spin of the coin. In case the scheduled final is not played/completed, both the teams will be declared joint winner of the tournament and the prize money will be shared equally between them
14. Point Scoring:
The team winning each match shall be awarded two points for each such victory and the defeated team shall be awarded no points. In the event of each team obtaining an equal number of runs in any particular match the winner will be decided on the basis of, the loss of lesser number of wickets (dismissals), if still equal then both the teams shall be awarded one point each.
In the event of the teams finishing on equal points, the right to play in the semi final will be decided by the most wins in the Group matches. Or, when teams have both equal wins and equal points, the team which was winner from the Group match (played between them) will be placed in the higher position or, if still equal then the winner will be decided as follows:
* Team which had scored most valid runs in all matches.
* Team with better net run rate. (A team's net run rate is calculated by deducting from the average runs per over scored by that team throughout the Tournament, the average runs per over scored against that team throughout the Tournament.
15. Injuries/illness to playing pairs: In the opinion of the umpires, in the case of injury/illness to a batsman and him being unable to continue his innings, the remaining balls/overs will be played by his other partner alone, with the help of a runner, and in the event of a bowler breaking down due to unavoidable circumstances and being unable to complete an over/overs, the remaining balls/overs will be bowled by his partner
16. In case scheduled Group match/matches are not completed due to unavoidable circumstances both the teams will be awarded one point each. In case scheduled group match/matches could not played due to inclement weather, natural disaster or other unforeseen circumstances, one point each will be awarded to both the teams
17. White balls will be used in all matches. Only one ball will be used for each match. The umpires officiating in any particular match authorise a similar substitute ball which shall only be so authorised in the circumstances set out in the Laws of Cricket
18. These Rules and the order of play may be varied from time to time should the Tournament Committee at its discretion deem it desirable or necessary. The Tournament Committee's decisions shall be final
19. Sponsor's logo/Commercial logos: Logos size and rules will be as per the Tournament Committee’s decision. No commercial logo will be worn by players except those approved and provided by the Tournament Committee
20. ICC Code of Conduct will be applicable in all matches. Any breach of the rules/conduct will be reported.