Oman Can Be Co-Host Along With UAE For IPL 2021 & World T20: Reports

Oman's new royal ruler Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said pledged to follow the non-interference policy in January 2020 after which ICC gave permission to host Test matches in the Muscat-based stadium.

Images: AFP

New Delhi: A BCCI official has told that the remaining Indian Premier League (IPL) matches will be co-hosted by United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman. So now, along with Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, Muscat's Al Amerat Stadium might also host some of the remaining 31 matches of IPL 2021. 

"Yes, the BCCI, during the ICC board meeting, has formally asked for a four-week window to take a final call but, internally, they have said that they would like to keep the hosting rights and wouldn’t mind the tournament being held in UAE and Oman,” a senior board official, privy to ICC board developments, told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

Oman's new royal ruler Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said pledged to follow the non-interference policy in January 2020 after which ICC gave permission to host Test matches in the Muscat-based stadium. The first international match was played here on 5 January 2020 between Oman and UAE. 

“If the IPL finishes by October 10, then the UAE leg of World T20 can start off in November which would give three weeks’ time to the pitches to be spruced up for the global event. In the meanwhile, the first week can be held in Oman,” the BCCI official said.

Meanwhile, talks are also open about Oman's bid to co-host the T20 World Cup in October-November this year. Confirmation on both these news is still awaited. 

There are 31 remaining matches in the IPL 2021. It will be the first time that the IPL will be held in UAE for two consecutive years. The Telegraph newspaper had reported that UAE has been selected as the IPL venue as the Covid-19 arrangements there are better.