PTI
 
  
Durban, Jun 13: South Africa will host the inaugural 12-nation Twenty20 World Cricket Championship at three different venues between September 21 and 30 next year.

Cricket South Africa's Chief Executive Officer Gerald Majola confirmed the dates after a meeting with ICC's tournament manager Campbell Jameson and its commercial manager Warren Deutron. However, the venues are yet to be decided.

"We have agreed that the tournament will take place in three cities but we have yet to decide where," Majola was quoted as saying in the local media.

"We will approach it in the same manner as we did the World Cup in 2003 in South Africa. The ICC sponsors will get preferential treatment in the stadiums where the games will be played." South Africa embraced the Twenty20 format in the 2004-05 domestic season. The format has been very successful in attracting spectators, with the games attracting capacity crowds.

The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg hosted two Twenty20 internationals, with the home side winning both games, including a thrilling two-run win against Australia in April.