UAE strong favourites to co-host IPL 2014

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) may have just received a shot in the arm for their chances of hosting one leg of the seventh edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) as many of the franchise owners have expressed satisfaction at the Arab nation co-hosting the annual marquee event.

Though it remains to be seen as to whether the UAE would host the first half or the second, the final decision lies with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) who will take a final call on March 5, reported gulfnews.

It may well be remembered that the IPL was to be shifted out of India due to general occasions in the country and South Africa and Bangladesh were the other countries who were in the fore-front to co-host the event.

Despite the BCCI’s known preference of South Africa still the decision to name the IPL’s host nation was put on the back burner thanks to some problems in the IPL’s Governing Council.Though February 28 was the final date earlier to confirm South Africa as the venue to host IPL still it was pushed further by the BCCI’s working committee meeting held at Bhubaneshwar since they felt that the UAE may be a more appropriate choice of venue.

According to reports the main reason for South Africa not being chosen as the host nation was because of general elections in the country clashing with the IPL dates and also the South African authorities’ insistence that instead of the first-half the entire tournament be held in the country.

UAE and Bangladesh were considered as hot favourites to co-host the IPL thanks to their close proximity to India and also the world-class facilities provided for the franchises.

Even the franchise owners are reportedly keen on the IPL being hosted by the above mentioned countries which would mean less expenses covered by their staying and accommodation during the course of the tournament.

If the IPL is held in UAE then the matches would be held in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah which have excellent stadia to host the tournament.

But the only matter of concern in the UAE hosting the IPL is that of the crowd support, which looks a bit dicey as the authorities are doubtful as to whether the fans would turn up for matches even on working days.

On top of that the BCCI is keen to ensure that the upcoming edition of the IPL remains free of any incidents of match-fixing which was not the case in the 2013 edition of the tournament.

Though Bangladesh were amongst the fore-runners to host the event still there remain doubts about the country’s ability to host the event thanks to it already being burdened by the hosting of Asia Cup 2014 and the 2014 ICC World Twenty 20.