IPL 2020: Indian govt gives nod to hold tournament in UAE

The Indian Premier League (IPL), the richest cricket tournament in the world, will be held in the UAE from September 19 to November 10, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Sunday.

The BCCI made the official announcement following the IPL Governing Council meeting on Sunday.

"The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) met today via video-conference to decide on the issues concerning the VIVO IPL 2020 edition. Taking note of the prevailing Covid-19 situation in India, the IPL GC decided to stage the tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the matches will be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi subject to necessary clearances from the Government of India," Jay Shah, BCCI honorary secretary, said in a statement on Sunday.

"VIVO IPL 2020 will be played from 19th September and the final will be played on 10th November 2020. The 53-day tournament will witness 10-afternoon matches starting at 15:30 IST while the evening matches will start at 19:30 IST."

Having staged the first phase of the IPL in 2014, the Emirates Cricket Board is ready to deliver another successful tournament in the UAE.

In what was a double bonanza for the UAE, the BCCI decided to stage the Women's T20 Challenge, also known as the women's Indian Premier League, in the UAE in November.

"Women's T20 Challenge will also take place in the UAE and will comprise three teams with four matches to be played during the IPL Playoff week," the BCCI statement said.