Although Indian Premier League (IPL) teams have already started practice sessions in the UAE, BCCI is yet to announce the whole schedule of the league which is set to start from 19th September. As per reports, the board is planning to proclaim the fixtures on Saturday after resolving some issues with Emirate Cricket Board (ECB).
Earlier, it was reported that BCCI is delaying to announce the scheduled because of the sudden surge of coronavirus cases in Abu Dhabi, one of the venues of hosting IPL matches. The other two venues are Dubai and Sharjah. But as reports are to believe that the Members of the BCCI and ECB chief Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak seemed to have resolved all the inter-city protocols.
IPL 2020: We will incorporate changes in the schedule – BCCI sources
“Just small pieces of the jig-saw puzzles are remaining and we should resolve them and release the schedules soon. ECB chief’s support in the matter was of great help. We will incorporate changes in the schedule as per our discussions with the local authorities”, said one of the BCCI sources currently in Dubai.
The reports had surfaced about Abu Dhabi’s strict laws regarding the checking of anyone entering the emirate. Every rapid test would have cost AED 50 which approximately is 1000 in INR.
Meanwhile, KXIP, MI and RR have started the practice session near their hotels. The tournament will span for over 53 days during which 60 games will be played. The grand finale of the league will be played on 10th November.
UAE had earlier hosted the first half of the IPL in 2014 but this would be the first time they would be hosting the whole league (IPL 2020) amid the coronavirus scare.