UAE, India to co-host IPL 2014 from 16 April to 1 June

The first phase of the IPL 2014 Will be held in the the United Arab Emirates from 16th April to 30th April, while the second phase will be conducted in India. The move of shifting the first phase to the UAE comes after the Union Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and home ministry officials told the BCCI that the government cannot provide security for the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League because of the general elections. [caption id=“attachment_143077” align=“alignleft” width=“300”]  Image REUTERS[/caption] The BCCI issued the following statement - “The BCCI is pleased to announce that the 2014 Pepsi IPL season will start on Wednesday 16th April 2014, and conclude on Sunday, 1st June 2014. 1. From Wednesday 16th April to Wednesday 30th April, at least 16 matches will be held in the United Arab Emirates. BCCI is very grateful to the Emirates Cricket Board, its Chairman, HH Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, and the government of the UAE for their offer of wholehearted support to host the Pepsi IPL for this period. 2. For the period from Thursday 1st May to Monday 12th May, BCCI has approached the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, seeking permission to play IPL matches in India in cities where the polling has concluded in the respective state. BCCI is extremely conscious of the various complexities involved, but hopes for a favourable consideration. BCCI will abide by the decision of the authorities in this regard. If it is not possible to play in India during this period, IPL matches will be held in Bangladesh and BCCI is thankful to the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the government of Bangladesh for their support. 3. From Tuesday 13th May (once polling has concluded in all states), the remaining league matches plus the Playoffs will be played in India. There will be no matches scheduled on the counting day of Friday, 16th May. BCCI will take the advice of the authorities if any further restrictions are required around the counting day.”