UAE front-runner to host first half, Bangladesh second choice

South Africa may have been the preferred destination to stage Indian Premier League 7 due to the tournament's dates clashing with the general elections here.

However, after Wednesday's governing council meeting of the IPL in New Delhi, it has emerged that South Africa is now effectively ruled out and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), another venue on the shortlist, is now the frontrunner to host the first half of the event. (No better venue than Eden Gardens, says Shah Rukh)

Bangladesh, which will host the World T20 later this month, is the other venue in fray, but UAE, who recently hosted the U-19 World Cup, is the preferred option. "We would assess the ground conditions in Bangladesh after the World T20 and take a decision of taking some matches there later. But most of the matches are likely to go to UAE," a governing council member told mid-day on Wednesday.

South Africa was ruled out, as Cricket South Africa wanted to stage the entire tournament, it is learnt. Another source said the South African market is dominated by Coca Cola, a rival to Pepsi, which is the title sponsor of IPL.