General elections may shift IPL 2019 to UAE

The 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) may get shifted to the UAE in case the annual T20 extravaganza clashes with the general elections.

UAE, which hosted the initial part of the IPL in 2014, is likely to get preference over South Africa, which hosted the 2009 edition, due to the fact that it is just one-and-a-half hours behind the Indian Standard Time.

South Africa’s time is three-and-a-half hours behind IST.

“We will take a call when the situation arises. UAE's time zone suits the Indian audience,” said a BCCI official on the sidelines of the ICC meeting here on Wednesday.

The 12th edition of the IPL will be held from March 29 to May 19 next year.

CHAMPIONS TROPHY’S FORMAT

On Thursday, the ICC is all set to deliberate whether the 2021 Champions Trophy should be changed from 50-over to T20 format.

“There is pressure from the broadcasters to tweak the format from ODIs to T20, making it a 16-team event,” said a BCCI official.

Asked about the tax exemption issue for ICC events held in India, the optimistic official said, “The matter is still under consideration. Tax matters take long, even assessments take very long.”

The matter assumes importance because of the proposed ICC tournaments, including the 2021 Champions Trophy and 2023 World Cup, to be held in India.

The ICC, which has requested the Government for tax exemptions for its events, has already started thinking about looking for alternative venues.