T20 World Cup clash between South Africa and Australia sees debut of 'Squid Game concept' social distancing pods

FANS joked the T20 World Cup social distancing pods are like a 'Squid Game concept'.

The tournament – moved from India to the UAE for Covid reasons – is taking precautions to keep people safe and protected.


And one of those measures is to house supporters in little pens.

The idea is to make sure they keep away from other groups on the grassy bank.

And as South Africa took on Australia at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, plenty of the chat on social media was about the wooden fenced areas.

For some it reminded them of hit Netflix series Squid Game – while others compared it to the iconic online game FarmVille as viewers couldn't agree on the new addition.

One wrote: "Looks like some sort of Squid Game concept."

Another said: "Why is the ICC playing FarmVille with fans?"

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A third added: "I think ‘the pods’ in Abu Dhabi look awful. Am I alone in that?"

But one supporter commented: "Obsessed with the seating enclosures at the T20 World Cup."

Another replied: "The most aesthetically pleasing form of social distancing at any sporting event so far."

And a final user joked: "Did they use sheepdogs to steward?"

The ICC revealed plans for the enclosures in Abu Dhabi earlier in October, with each of the Emirati venues operating at 70 per cent of maximum seated capacity.

Abu Dhabi Cricket's CEO Matt Boucher explained: "Thanks to the incredible work of The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, Department of Health and Abu Dhabi Sports Council we are now able to safely increase our maximum seat capacity to 70 per cent and introduce new socially-distanced pods of four spectators to our family west and east grass mounds.

"This brings our capacity up to well over 10,000 as we ready ourselves to hear the real roar of cricket’s incredible fans."

On the pitch, Australia chased down their target with two balls and five wickets spare on Saturday.

England thumped reigning champions West Indies by six wickets in 8.2 overs on the same day before India suffered a shock ten-wicket defeat to Pakistan.

Eoin Morgan's side are back in action on Wednesday when they take on Bangladesh at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, meaning more pod-pandemonium.

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