IPL buzz in the UAE
Tournament likely to start on Sept 19 once approvals are obtained
Hopes of the UAE hosting the Indian Premier League (IPL) brightened on Friday with the IPL chairman saying it could be held between September 19 and November 8 in the Emirates. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), however, is awaiting confirmation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) next week.
The BCCI hopes to get the nod from the Indian sports ministry in the coming days and the ECB, for its part, has informed the UAE government about its intention to host the tournament.
“It’s the BCCI’s call to announce the dates but as the Emirates Cricket Board, we are still waiting for the BCCI to officially communicate with us,” said Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary of the ECB.
“We are in touch with the UAE government and we are all on standby. If we receive something from the BCCI, we will take it forward with the UAE government. There are some reports in the media about the IPL coming to the UAE. The UAE government is aware of the information,” he said.
The tournament will be a massive exercise with players and support staff from the eight franchises arriving in the UAE, apart from broadcasters.
Asked about health protocols, Usmani said: “All these protocols are subject to discussion after the official confirmation from the BCCI. We need official written communication from them.”
The IPL is looking at a window from September 19 to November 8 to hold the tournament in the UAE.
“The dates have been confirmed,” Patel told the Khaleej Times over phone from India.
“The IPL governing council will meet in a week’s time to take forward its plans,” Patel said.
Much ahead of the tournament, a logistics and operations team from the BCCI is set to arrive in the UAE to oversee the preparations at the three venues that will stage the tournament.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium and the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi will host the matches.
— james@khaleejtimes.com