The 2020 edition of the IPL being played entirely in the UAE is now a distinct possibility, and Fishermans Hub understands that the BCCI has earmarked a tentative window between September 26 & November 7 for it.

Dubai: The UAE are keeping themelves ready if the Indian Premier League 2020 is eventually held here during a tentative window between late September and November this year. The window, however, can be a realistic one only if the International Cricket Council (ICC) announces a postponement of the T20 World Cup, still officially scheduled between October 18 to November 15 in Australia.

While the ICC is yet to make any formal announcement, the Board of Directors are expected to converge in another video conference early next week to take stock of the situation and take a final call. If the World T20 is put off, a convenient slot to the satisfaction of all stakeholders has to be decided for it as India are scheduled to host the next edition of the event in 2021 itself.

It is learnt that the franchise owners met earlier this week and they had no qualms with the IPL going overseas this year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic on the verge of hitting a peak in India over the two to three months. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) were initially divided in their opinion about shifting the event outside the country, the recent spike in daily cases have helped them make up their minds about the veracity.

While at least three cricket boards – the UAE, Sri Lanka and New Zealand had made their offers to host the showpiece event – the BCCI has decided in favour of the UAE as they have the prior experience of hosting the first leg of event in 2014. The IPL had to be taken overseas on two occasions in 2009 and 2014, with the event coinciding on both occasions with the Parliamentary elections.