Staging the suspended IPL 2021 and the hosting of ICC T20 World Cup 2021 were on the agenda as BCCI held its Special General Meeting (SGM) virtually on Saturday (May 29).
After the meeting, BCCI confirmed that the remaining games of IPL 14 will be held in UAE in the September-October window.
While BCCI didn’t comment on the availability of foreign players, a report published in ANI suggests that the Indian board will discuss the availability of overseas cricketers with their respective boards.
However, their non-availability would not be an obstacle as BCCI is looking at a 25-day window for the completion of the remaining 31 games.
"There have been talks with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and they are happy to host the remaining IPL in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi like last time. The BCCI will now speak to the foreign boards to decide on the availability of the foreign players. While the Australian players may be available, there are some questions over the availability of the England and New Zealand players, we will see how that works out. We are looking at a 25-day window and that is on," a source in the know of developments told ANI.
On Thursday (May 27), ECB managing director Ashley Giles made it clear that the England players won’t be released for the remainder of IPL 2021.
Speaking to PTI, a franchise official expressed concern and said: "Hopefully, the president and secretary would tell us how the situation of English players will be handled."
Coming to the T20 World Cup, BCCI will seek time from the ICC with more than four months still left for the global event.
“The BCCI SGM further authorised the Office Bearers to seek an extension of time from the ICC to take an appropriate call on the hosting of ICC T20 World Cup 2021,” the board said in a press release.
(With ANI inputs)
