|| CF Desk ||

The Emirates Cricket Board is eyeing to fill up 30-50 per cent of the stadiums with people during the 13th edition of Indian Premier League. The cash-rich league is scheduled to take place in the UAE with proper government rules, its secretary Mubashshir Usmani said to PTI on Friday.

While the IPL chairman Brijesh Patel had earlier shared the dates of the tournament from the September 19 to November 8, the detailed plans are yet to be revealed. Moreover, the BCCI also is waiting for the final approval from the Indian government to host the IPL outside India.

"Once we get the confirmation from the BCCI (on Indian government's approval), we will go to our government with the complete proposal and SOPs which will be prepared by us and the BCCI," told Usmani over phone. "We will definitely want our people to experience this prestigious event but it is totally the government's decision. For most events here, the number ranges from thirty to 50 percent capacity, we are looking at a similar number.”

He further added, "We are hopeful of getting our government's approval on that." The UAE has so far reported more than 6000 active cases of COVID-19 pandemic but the situation is under control there.

"The UAE government has been very efficient in bringing down the case numbers. We are almost living a normal life with certain rules and protocols to be followed. "And with the IPL still some time way, we will be in an even better place than what it is right now," he expressed.

Meanwhile, the IPL Governing Council will meet on Sunday to decide the logistics and SOP for the league. Usmani further said that the UAE is well prepared to host the mega event as well.

"We are still waiting to hear from the BCCI on the Indian government's approval. Having said that, we are ready," Usmani added. "We have plug and play facilities here and have informed them (officials at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah stadiums) to be ready and they are fully aware of it."