Emirates Cricket Board substantiates proposal to BCCI for IPL 2020 in UAE
UAE, IPL. (Image Source: Twitter)

The ongoing pandemic situation has disrupted the cricket calendar for the year 2020, amongst other things. It includes two marquee T20 events lined-up this year, namely, Indian Premier League 2020 and T20 World Cup in Australia.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) were optimistic about the conduct of the cash-rich league at some point this year. However, with the current exponential growth of COVID-19 cases in India, it is highly unlikely the tournament will get the nod for the staging in the country.

Earlier, the tournament was scheduled on March 26 but was postponed to April 15, tentatively. Looking at the scenario amid lockdown, the tournament then was suspended indefinitely.

With the fifth phase of the lockdown imposed, some of the athletes have received relaxation from the government regarding training at stadiums in non-containment zones.

Under such circumstances, the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly would not take any option off the table with offers from the Sri Lankan board (SLC) and now Emirates Cricket Board.

It would not be the first time any season of the IPL would be conducted abroad. Amid nationwide elections in the year 2009 and 2014, the tournament was moved to South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), respectively.

The Emirates Cricket Board Secretary Mubashshir Usmani has now confirmed UAE’s offer to the apex cricket board in India.

“In the past, Emirates Cricket Board has successfully hosted IPL matches in UAE. We have a proven record of being hosts as a neutral venue for various bilateral and multi-nation cricket activities in the past,” Usmani was quoted as saying by Gulf News.

Several sporting actions have been resumed in the absence of spectators and behind closed doors, namely Germany’s Bundesliga. The English Premier League and La Liga is all set to be resumed later this month.

Also, England hosts West Indies to resume their English summer in July, with Pakistan lined up next to tour the country.

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