BCCI to announce IPL schedule on Saturday

The Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) members currently based out of Dubai met Emirates Cricket Board chief Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak on Thursday. According to the sources, most of the issues concerning the IPL 2020 schedule, inter-city travel protocols has been resolved after the intervention of ECB Chief. It is worth noting that Sheikh Nahyan is also the UAE’s minister of culture & youth development. After request from BCCI, the ECB Chief has personally intervened in the matter and has managed to break the deadlock in regard to the smooth travel operations between Abu Dhabi & Dubai.

 The two emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have separate protocols related to Covid-19. There are travel restrictions as well between the two cities. While entering Abu Dhabi, one has to undergo mandatory rapid tests. Only after a negative test, one can cross the border. Such strict procedures were becoming impediment for the teams on a match-day. That is the reason BCCI has not declared the IPL 2020 schedule till date.

 “Just small pieces of the jig-saw puzzles are remaining and we should resolve them and release the schedules soon. ECB chief’s support in the matter was of great help. We will incorporate changes in the schedule as per our discussions with the local authorities”, said a BCCI source currently in Dubai.

 Meanwhile in another positive development, IPL GC has resolved the issue and secured permissions for the IPL franchises Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians based in Abu Dhabi to train. The Emirates of Abu Dhabi has decided to relax the quarantine norms for both the franchises after the intervention by the BCCI.

 As per the quarantine norms in Abu Dhabi, both KKR & Mumbai Indians were required to complete 14 days quarantine after which they would have got permission to start training. In comparison, their counterparts based in Dubai have already started training after completing 6 days mandatory quarantine. Both Abu Dhabi based franchises sought IPL Governing Council’s intervention in the matter on Wednesday. According to the sources, IPL GC chairman Brijesh Patel along with the other BCCI members held a meeting with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to resolve the issue on Thursday evening. After support from the good offices of ECB Chief, KKR & Mumbai Indians have been granted permission to start training immediately.