Recently, a source within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed that the IPL 2020 can be shifted outside India but as the last option. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) governing cricket board, Emirates Cricket Board, has now reportedly offered to organise the IPL 2020.
While coronavirus has affected the cricket world just like the other daily life, IPL 2020 (initially scheduled from 29th March to 24th May 2020) has also been affected due to this virus as the tournament gets postponed.
Though the fight against the virus is still on, the Indian government is now trying to ease the lockdown process, just like many other countries. While the situation is slowly getting better for the game, the BCCI is now hoping to organise the IPL 13 this year.
However, the BCCI now has to find out the proper window and venues to organise the IPL 2020 successfully. The BCCI still believes that the country can organise the cash-rich tournament in the later this year. But if it is not possible in any way, the board can move this tournament outside India.
UAE is ready to host the IPL 2020 and English County season
According to the recent report in the Gulf News, Mubashshir Usmani, the General Secretary of Emirates Cricket Board has confirmed their interest to host the IPL 2020. While the country has experienced to host the first half of the IPL 2014 as well as many other big cricket events, they are confident enough to take the responsibility of another big tournament in this crisis.
Usmani also added that they have offered to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to play their County matches of this season in the UAE.
He claimed, “We have a proven record of being hosts as a neutral venue for various bilateral and multi-nation cricket activities in the past. Our state-of-the-art venues and facilities make the Emirates a desired place for hosting all types of cricket.”
Usmani further added, “We have come forward and offered our venues to both England and India. In the past, Emirates Cricket Board has successfully hosted IPL matches in UAE. We have also hosted matches involving England team on multiple occasions previously. If our offer is taken up by either of the Boards, then we will be pleased to facilitate hosting of their matches.”
Earlier, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reportedly been offered to host the IPL 2020. Now, the BCCI will have to decide the host nation of the IPL 2020 if India fails to organise this tournament.