Reports: UAE front runners to host IPL 2014

Kolkata Knight Riders cricketers, support staffs and officials celebrate winning the IPL in 2012

The United Arab Emirates are the front runners in the race to host IPL 2014, reports Gulf News.

The Indian general elections in April have apparently forced BCCI’s hand to find a different venue due to concerns over security.

“If certain IPL matches go out of India, BCCI is looking at every possible venue where cricket could be played,” revealed a BCCI official.

“The board can’t take a final call till a clear message comes from the home ministry. We are told that the election schedule may remain the same as it was five years ago. If that happens, it is going to be a great challenge to host the event in India.”

Apart from UAE, Sri Lanka and South Africa, the Indian cricket board’s backup plan features Bangladesh, Singapore and Malaysia.

David East, CEO of Emirates Cricket Board and Abu Dhabi Cricket Club, was not ready to comment on the situation.

“I wouldn’t like to confirm or comment on this at the moment,” he said.

The UAE and Bangladesh are favourites to be the host nation as that would keep the team expenses to a minimum after concerns were raised during a meeting in Singapore late last year.