Indian government's approval is being sought to hold the Indian Premier League, the world’s richest cricket tournament, in the UAE from September, the league chairman has confirmed.
The postponement of the Twenty20 World Cup until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic has opened the way for the suspended IPL, which the Board of Control for Cricket in India wants to bring it back in the window from September until early November.
“It will be held in the UAE but first the board will seek permission from the Indian government to stage it there,” Brijesh Patel told AFP.
This year's IPL was postponed in March.
The IPL has become the main source of revenue for BCCI since 2008. It has said it would lose more than $500 million if this year’s tournament had not gone ahead.
The seven-week extravaganza, which normally plays to packed stadiums across the country of 1.3 billion people, is estimated to generate more than $11 billion for the Indian economy.
With international-standard ovals each in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai – as well as the country’s oldest cricket venue, in Sharjah, the UAE is well-placed to offer bio-secure solutions – assuming there are no fans in attendance.
IPL franchises are already said to be planning the logistics of travel to the UAE, as well as hotel bookings. Dubai Sports Council – in co-operation with Dubai Police – have undertaken studies into the possibility of fans attending, although it looks unlikely at this stage.
The general secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board, Mubashshir Usmani, has confirmed they will "extend full support to" the IPL if they do opt to switch the tournament to UAE.
““There will be some pre-requisites and a plan will be created to follow the protocols of the government. Each council will be approached to take the necessary permissions. It is all at an early stage to comment. We have heard there are dates being considered from September to November. There is still time on that.
“Considering the numbers of Covid cases in UAE is going down, and the situation is becoming more relaxed, we are hopeful that if the BCCI does come to us, at that time we will be one of the safest destinations in the world.”
The UAE has hosted IPL in 2014 when the first 20 matches of that schedule were played here because the league coincided with holding elections in India at a massive scale.
A host of international stars including England’s Ben Stokes and Australia’s Steve Smith and David Warner are signed up for the eight teams.
Australia’s Pat Cummins will be the most expensive overseas star this year, signing up with Kolkata Knight Riders for a $2.17 million fee in a December auction.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
