The third edition of the Global T20 Canada cricket tournament has been shifted to Malaysia this summer because of pandemic-related restrictions.

The tournament will take place in June-July. Organizers say it will return to Canada in 2022.

“Cricketers and fans of cricket within Canada will naturally be disappointed that this year’s third edition of our world-class GT20 tournament cannot be held in Canada due to the ongoing COVID pandemic and the Canadian health guidelines,” Cricket Canada president Rashpal Bajwa said in a statement.

“Cricket Canada, however, understands and fully supports our health authorities. We are also very positive in looking forward to hosting the tournament in Canada, once the pandemic is sufficiently ended and the safety of all concerned can be assured.

“In the interim, we are now very excited to share with all Canadians and cricket lovers across the world that our good friends at the Malaysian Cricket Association have stepped up to help us host this year’s GT20 Season 3 in Malaysia with the necessary local health approvals.

“We are looking forward to a very exciting third edition of GT20 Canada in Malaysia.”

Owned and managed by Bombay Sports Co. Ltd. the GT20 bills itself as North America’s only annual pro tournament. The GT20 features six teams, each made up of 10 international cricketers from International Cricket Council full and associate member nations.

Despite the move to Malaysia this year, each team will feature three Canadian national team players and three emerging Canadian cricketers. There will also be one Malaysian national player per squad.

All 22 matches will be played at the Kinrara Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital .

The tournament was staged for the first time in 2018 at Maple Leaf Cricket Club in Ontario when Vancouver Knights, featuring Andre Russell and West Indies left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell, beat West Indies B in the final.

In 2019, the tournament was played at the CAA Centre also in Ontario, when Winnipeg Hawks defeated Knights in a super-over.

There was no tournament hosted last year.