IPL 2021, India versus England Test Series Could Be Held In UAE Too: Report

The Test series between India and England early next year could take place in UAE after the BCCI signed an agreement with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to “boost cricketing ties” between the two boards on Saturday.

At present, IPL 2020 is being held in UAE due to the alarming coronavirus conditions in India. The ECB has done a fine work in ensuring that the tournament goes ahead without much trouble. IPL 2020 started on Saturday with a thrilling clash between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

And the board could be rewarded with some more high profile series and tournaments in the coming months by the BCCI. The agreement between the two boards is restricted to only this year’s IPL but ESPNcricinfo has reported there have been brief discussions in which the possibility of India hosting England, as well as next year’s IPL, in the UAE has been raised.

A round of applause just before the start of play as we thank all our frontline heroes who have been working round the clock during these tough times.#ThankYouFrontlineHeroes pic.twitter.com/KRNcstRSXU

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) September 19, 2020

On Saturday, BCCI secretary Jay Shah posted a tweet announcing the BCCI had  signed a “hosting agreement” with the ECB “to boost cricketing ties between our countries”. Shah signed the agreement at a meeting with ECB vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni. BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly and treasurer Arun Dhumal were also present in the meeting.

I along with Vice Chairman of Emirates Cricket Board, Mr Khalid Al Zarooni signed an MoU & Hosting agreement between @BCCI and @EmiratesCricket to boost the cricketing ties between our countries.

BCCI President, @SGanguly99 & Treasurer, @ThakurArunS were present on the occasion. pic.twitter.com/snYq2AUELZ

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) September 19, 2020

The coronavirus situation in India is still showing very little signs of improvement. With over five million cases as of Friday, it is second only to the USA in terms of the number of infections, and has experienced a major spike in numbers over the last fortnight.

As per the report, this was the reason behind a brief and preliminary discussions taking place between the two boards, in which the BCCI is believed to have raised the prospect of using the UAE as a venue for the India-England series, currently scheduled for January-February next year.

In the original FTP, the white-ball leg of the tour was scheduled for October this year, before India toured Australia and then returned to host the five Tests against England from January. The white-ball leg was officially postponed last month, and it is expected that they will be played together with the Tests now.

And if things don’t improve, the IPL could also be hosted in UAE next year. The relation between the two boards is on the rise in recent years. UAE had hosted few games of IPL in 2014 too due to the general elections in India. In 2018, the BCCI had relocated the Asia Cup to the gulf country too.

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