The IPL will take place in the UAE from September 19 to November 10, subject to final government approval in both countries. “Taking note of the prevailing Covid-19 situation in India, the IPL [governing council] decided to stage the tournament in the UAE,” Jay Shah, the honorary secretary for the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said. “The matches will be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi subject to necessary clearances from the government of India.” The competition will conclude on Tuesday, November 10. That is nine days before the scheduled start of the Abu Dhabi T10 league. The IPL was due to take place in March, but was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. When the T20 World Cup – which had been due to be played in October and November – <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/cricket/t20-world-cup-postponed-to-2021-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic-1.1052010">was postponed earlier this month</a>, it accelerated the IPL's decision to reschedule, and <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/cricket/emirates-cricket-board-receive-official-request-to-stage-ipl-in-uae-1.1055177">move the competition to the UAE</a>. The Emirates Cricket Board have said they are already planning for the competition, while Sunday’s general council meeting rubber stamped the switch. The competition is set to involve Covid-19 replacements. Also, the English firm who oversaw the biosecurity planning for the English international matches this summer are said to be engaged to assist with a similar operation for the IPL. The 53-day competition will have 10 afternoon fixtures, starting at 2pm UAE time, with evening matches starting at 6pm. “The governing council discussed the comprehensive standard operating procedures, which will be finalised and published in due course, including the agencies to execute and deliver a bio-secure environment for safe and successful conduct of IPL 2020 season,” Shah said.
