Indian Premier League (IPL) organisers are hoping to resume the tournament in the UAE in September, according to media reports.
The Twenty20 competition was suspended indefinitely at the start of May after a rise in Covid-19 cases among players and staff.
But now, according to reports in India, plans are emerging to complete the lucrative tournament away from the host country and return to the UAE, where the 2020 version was successfully held under bio-secure conditions.
It is thought the remaining 31 matches will be split into 10 double headers, seven single headers and four play-offs, which will be fit into the 21-day window the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hopes to create before the T20 World Cup.
The tentative plan is for the IPL to resume September 18 or 19 in the UAE with the final held on October 9 or 10, a senior BCCI told PTI on Tuesday.
India are set to complete their five-match Test series in England on September 14 meaning the dates for that tour would not change.
According to the report, the players would transfer from one bio-secure bubble to another after the England tour, and quarantine in UAE for three days.
"There is tremendous intent from all stakeholders to complete the IPL, boards are being spoken to. Franchise owners, CEOs have confirmed this news to us. BCCI officials have confirmed off the record," sports journalist Boria Majumdar said in his YouTube show for Sports Today.
THE SPECS
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Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
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Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
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if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
