We have offered the BCCI to host the IPL if required: UAE Cricket Board

While nations are slowly getting restarted during the global coronavirus crisis, the fate of the Indian Premier League’s 13th annual still hangs in balance. A decision on the conduct of the T20 World Cup will soon be taken by the International Cricket Council and the postponement of the tournament could open doors for the Board of Control for Cricket in India to host the IPL in that time slot.

The IPL was originally scheduled to begin on 29th March but was 'suspended indefinitely' due to the growing concerns regarding the outbreak of COVID-19.

A report in the 'Gulf News' said that the UAE Cricket Board has made an offer to the BCCI that it can host the IPL.

In an interview, Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary of Emirates Cricket Board spoke about UAE being successful in hosting cricket games as neutral venues for various series and tournaments. He also recalled the experience of hosting the first phase of the IPL in 2014 due to the general elections in India. 

"In the past, the 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," its general secretary Mubashshir Usmani was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

"Our state-of-the-art venues and facilities make the Emirates a desired place for hosting all types of cricket," added.

Usmani also stated that his board has proposed the England and Wales Cricket Board to host the complete English season on UAE soil.

"We have come forward and offered our venues to both England and India. 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 the hosting of their matches," he said.

[With PTI inputs]