The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to face stern logistical challenge in shifting the IPL 2020 to UAE but for the board’s Anti-Corruption Unit head Ajit Singh, the move will make monitoring the event "slightly easier" as it would be constrained to just three venues.
Last week, IPL chairman Brijesh Patel confirmed that they have zeroed in on a 51-day window from September 19 to November 8 for the T20 league. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will host the 60 games that are to be played in the cash-rich event.
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“In the UAE, it will be slightly easier doing (monitoring ACU activity) as there are only three grounds compared to eight venues in India. That's not an issue at all. Once the schedule comes, we will decide the workforce,” Singh told PTI during an interaction.
He also revealed that there are "eight ACU officers who are on BCCI payrolls".
So, will that be enough in terms of managing the work through 60 matches as well as keeping a close eye on hotels?
"It's too early to comment on measures as we need to first check what kind of bio-security measures will be created. We first need to see how things are taking shape there and we will deploy our men accordingly," Singh said.
"In case, we need men, we will hire them," he added.
Speaking to PTI, a BCCI official pointed out that the ICC headquarter is in Dubai and if needed, the board can take help of the global body which has a huge team of ACU officials.
"If it is a private league that approaches ICC for hiring ACU officers and they agree to cover the event, then the league organisers bear the costs," the senior official said.
The UAE does have a history of being a hot bed for bookies and fixers. However, the ACU head is fairly confident that intelligence gathering will not be hindered by the shift of the tournament.
"Whoever is involved (bookies/fixers) they are all inter-connected. If we have our sources here, they also know how these bookies operate.
"If they get an information of this place, they will get an information of that place also. It's not so much of an issue," Ajit Singh said.
(With PTI inputs)
