The Board of Control for Cricket in India has given a formal confirmation to the Emirates Cricket Board to stage the Indian Premier League in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
The BCCI letter of confirmation is forwarded after the Government of India had granted permission to move the IPL 2020 to the UAE due to the COVID-19 threat in the country.
The ECB had though received a tentative consent from the BCCI in the last week of July, a formal confirmation with due clearance from the Union of India was required for mandatory permissions from the authorities in the Emirates.
IPL 2020 will be played in the UAE from September 19 to November 10.
“We feel extremely privileged to host what could be considered the pinnacle event of our favourite sport,” Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, cabinet member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and ECB Chairman had confirmed.
“The magnitude of being in a position to bring the IPL to the vast cricket-loving global community, during current events which have greatly impacted our daily lives, is one we take with extreme importance,” he added in his statement.
The IPL teams will be staying in a bio secured bubble upon their arrival in the UAE by the next week.
The initial phase of the league will be played behind closed doors, but it is expected that the sparse crowds might be allowed in the stadiums towards the later stage.
“This is undoubtedly the highest-profile cricketing-event to be held in the UAE and our team will continue to support all facets (of the tournament) and work toward delivering a successful event for the enjoyment of all sports-fans; here in the UAE, in India and across the world,” said Al Nahayan.
The UAE has also hosted some games of the IPL 2014 when India was going to the General Elections.