The 2010 ICC World Twenty20 cricket tournament takes place in the Caribbean in May 2010. Twelve of the leading nations will compete to win the third World Twenty20 and join India and Pakistan on the roll of honour.The tournament was first introduced in 2007 as the new format of the game gained increasing popularity. South Africa staged the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 and it was India, the nation who had taken most to the 20-over game, who were crowned champions following a five-run success over Pakistan in the final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
In 2009 when the second ICC World Twenty20 was staged in England, Pakistan gained revenge when they went one better by beating Sri Lanka, who will stage the next edition in 2010, by eight wickets in the final at Lordss.
The 12 nations competing in the Caribbean are the hosts West Indies, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, India, South Africa, Afghanistan, England and Ireland. Afghanistan will be making their debut in the tournament, while Zimbabwe and Ireland are playing for a second time. The other nine countries have played in all previous editions of the ICC World Twenty20.
