IPL set to start next month in UAE

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to be staged in the United Arab Emirates from Sept. 19 to Nov. 10, subject to government approval.

The IPL’s governing council confirmed the proposed dates and venues during a video conference on Sunday, reports AP.

“Taking note of the prevailing COVID-19 situation in India, the IPL governing council decided to stage the tournament in the United Arab Emirates and the matches will be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi subject to necessary clearances from the government of India,” Jay Shah, honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said in a statement.

The lucrative annual Twenty20 tournament had originally been scheduled to start March 29 before it was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The spread of COVID-19 forced organizers to move the competition abroad. A window to hold the tournament opened when the International Cricket Council postponed the men’s Twenty20 World Cup, which had been scheduled to be staged in Australia in October and November.

International cricket was suspended in March because of the pandemic and resumed last month with England hosting the West Indies in a three-test series contested under strict bio-security restrictions.

The IPL council said it discussed procedures for delivering a “bio-secure environment for safe and successful conduct” and was still working on details.

The three-team Women’s T20 Challenge is also expected to be held in the UAE, with matches to be played during the IPL playoff week.