 "Photo: PTI")
The Governing Council of Indian Premier League on Sunday decided to stage the IPL 2020 in the UAE from September 19 to November 10. The cash-rich league will see 10 double headers this season. The afternoon matches will begin from 3:30 PM IST while the evening ones will start at 7:30 pm IST. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear to all the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises that no team can leave for the UAE before August 20.
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Speaking to news agency IANS, a BCCI official said that it was decided to take the IPL into another week and that will see the final being played on November 10. The official also said that to ensure that there is enough spacing between games considering the strict protocol that will be in place, 10 double headers have been planned.
"We have decided to go up till November 10 and so the final will be held on a weekday for the first time. Also, to ensure that there is enough gaps between games considering the travelling and the bio secure environment and keeping all these things in mind, we will have 10 double headers this season," the official revealed.
Asked about the starting time, the official said that it will be 7:30 p.m. IST for the evening games. "We have decided to bring it forward by 30 minutes from the regular time of the IPL which is 8 p.m. for evening games and we will start at 7:30 instead."
Asked if entry of fans were discussed in the meeting, the official said that these things can be taken care of in consultation with the Emirates Cricket Board.
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"It would be great to have some fans come in as that would boost the morale of the players for sure. But what needs to be remembered is that the safety of the players is priority. So, these are things we will discuss with the ECB at the right time," the official said.Franchises have also been asked to start the visa process. "We have been asked to start our visa process," an official of one of the franchises told IANS.
The BCCI is also optimistic of getting the complete go-ahead from the government in the coming week to move the tournament to UAE.
"The BCCI has received clearance from the Sports Ministry and we are hopeful of a positive response from the other departments quite soon as well," a BCCI official had told IANS on Saturday.
