BCCI, Emirates Cricket Board Sign MoU, Hosting Agreement To Boost Cricketing Ties Between India-UAE

[MenInG]

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 Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and hosting agreement to boost cricketing ties between the two countries. Taking to Twitter, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah wrote, "I along with Vice Chairman of Emirates Cricket Board, Khalid Al Zarooni signed an MoU & Hosting agreement between @bcci and @emiratesCricket to boost the cricketing ties between our countries. BCCI President, @SGanguly99 & Treasurer, @thakurArunSwere present on the occasion."

Shah was joined by BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and treasurer Arun Dhumal.

The 13th edition of the IPL will kick-off today in Abu Dhabi. Dubai and Sharjah are the other two venues that will host the IPL 2020 matches.

Dubai will play host to 24 games, 20 matches will be hosted by Abu Dhabi while Sharjah will hold 12 games. The dates and venues for the playoff stages will be released later.

For the first time in the history of the tournament, the finals will be played on a weekday i.e., Tuesday. Both the afternoon and evening matches will be played half an hour earlier than usual this time around.

There will be a total of 10 doubleheaders in this edition of the tournament. The evening matches will be played at 7:30 pm IST while the afternoon matches are due to start at 3:30 pm IST.

Defending champions Mumbai Indians will take on Chennai Super Kings at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi in the tournament opener on Saturday.

https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/bcci...ia-uae-2297988

[Extra_Cover]

Curious to know if it has any impact on Pakistan hosting its home games in Emirates. Any ideas?

[Rajdeep]

Curious to know if it has any impact on Pakistan hosting its home games in Emirates. Any ideas?

Think this is the first step of hosting Indo-Pak bilateral series in UAE.

[Titan24]

Curious to know if it has any impact on Pakistan hosting its home games in Emirates. Any ideas?

Pakistan is not planning to be hosting any games in UAE going forward anyways as per indications from PCB few months ago.

[Rana]

Good for UAE. At least some Pakistanis will be playing against Indians soon

[Rana]

This is probably an indication that Pakistan is going to play all of its home games in Pakistan as of now

[Hasan123]

Does this mean India vs England will take place in UAE?

[freelance_cricketer]

Surely there should be something for UAE in supporting BCCI with this grand gesture. Indians can be many things but ehsanfaramosh is not one of them.

[Swashbuckler]

Hope this translates to Indo-Pak bilaterals in the desert. Even T20s will do.

[MenInG]

Hope this translates to Indo-Pak bilaterals in the desert. Even T20s will do.

Interesting idea as this will remove any objections about the venue.

[aloo paratha]

Interesting idea as this will remove any objections about the venue.

How? We were supposed to play against them in 2015 or 2017 in the UAE and they still refused. It's not about the venue, they just don't wanna play us unless it's a tournament. Then their stance doesn't matter

[Thunderbolt14]

Interesting idea as this will remove any objections about the venue.

Sourav Ganguly in 2016: “whenever India-Pak tours get cancelled, I think back to the 2005 tour. If you had been on that tour, these tours would never be cancelled.”

Now he’s head of BCCI, I am sure he would be eager to make some step forward if there is any loophole hut I feel the Indian government bas been far too strict.

Perhaps under this new deal there might be value in playing matches at a “neutral” venue but at the end of the day I believe the government’s gripe is against any bilaterals at any venue, so I suppose not much reason to get the hopes up.

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

BCCI signing MOU means nothing.

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Hope this translates to Indo-Pak bilaterals in the desert. Even T20s will do.

Not going to happen as long as BJP is in power.

[MenInG]

NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket board (BCCI) is keeping its options open to carry out its international home season as far as venues is concerned. On Saturday, BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced on Twitter that the board has signed an MoU and hosting agreement with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to boost cricket ties with UAE.

While there has been no confirmation about the details of the agreement but there are suggestions within the board that it could be used to host India's home matches in the coming season. India are due to host England for five Tests in February next year followed by the IPL again. Currently, the pandemic in India is not showing any signs of slowing down.

"As of now the hosting agreement is signed for the current IPL. But for all you know, BCCI may well be forced to move its entire international home season to UAE. If the pandemic doesn’t relent in the next couple of months, the board will be looking for options to salvage the international season. One must also understand that the next IPL is also about six months away. The board has to prepare for that too," a BCCI source told TOI on Saturday.

There are a few modalities to check. Pakistan too used UAE as its home venue. The FTP needs to be checked and the Pakistan Cricket Board is also pushing for resumption of full-fledged international cricket on their home turf.

Confusion over domestic season

If the board is looking for options to host its international season outside India, then it puts the entire domestic cricket scene under a cloud of uncertainty. TOI has learnt that the board is still going ahead with its regular process to host the domestic season. The official registration system is currently on. "BCCI had opened the player registration systems on September 1. The state associations have been told to complete the formalities by October 15," a BCCI official told TOI.

The player registration system is used to register players for the various age-group tournament. It is also used to register guest players if any player wants to switch states as a professional cricketer.

"The states have been told to continue with the process until any further notice comes. The BCCI is waiting for clearances from the government authorities. If you see, the Sports Authority of India is also struggling to get competitions going in the country. To BCCI's advantage, the domestic season runs deep into March and a few women and junior tournaments are also played in April when the IPL is on," the official said.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...5.cms?from=mdr

[Saj]

Curious to know if it has any impact on Pakistan hosting its home games in Emirates. Any ideas?

PCB is doing its best to avoid having to play future matches in UAE.

[Saj]

Hope this translates to Indo-Pak bilaterals in the desert. Even T20s will do.

No chance at all of that happening in the near future.

[Nikhil_cric]

BCCI signing MOU means nothing.

That was proven not to be an MoU

[Mir jibran]

Not going to happen as long as BJP is in power.

Yes looks impossible atleast till 2030

[Swashbuckler]

Not going to happen as long as BJP is in power.

Modi can go visit Pakistan and hug their PM
Modi's lapdog media can have Pakistani guests
Trade can continue
Soldiers can exchange sweets on Diwali/Eid

But us fans must be deprived of cricket, for the sake of nationalism. Sick.

You are right, BCCI can't do anything, ultimately ball lies in GOI's court. Evan Dalmiya would have found resumprion of bilateral cricket impossible under this regime, Vajpayee's BJP and Congress were far more reasonable.

[Extra_Cover]

I feel this is done to host Pakistan’s and few other games in 2021 T20 and 2023 WC. It makes sense as I doubt India wouldn’t allow Pakistani players to play on their soil.

If this is indeed the case then I wonder what would transpire if Pakistan makes it to the finals.

[MenInG]

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly on Monday said the board will do all it can to ensure that India’s home series against England remains in the country and domestic tournaments kick off at some point despite the “fluid” COVID-19 situation.

India’s COVID-19 case load has gone past 60 lakh and the death toll has surged beyond 95,000. England are scheduled to tour India next year between January and March for five Tests, three ODIs and three T20 Internationals.

“…priority is to make this (series against England) happen in India. We will try to make this happen on Indian grounds. The advantage in UAE is they have three stadiums (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai),” he said in a media interaction here addressing speculation that UAE could be the host for India given the COVID case count here.

BCCI has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Emirates Cricket Board for greater cooperation in conducting matches there.

“We also have the same facility in Mumbai — CCI, Wankhede and DY Patil. We also have Eden Gardens. We have to create a bubble. We want to hold our cricket in India, that’s where the game is, that’s where the heart is. But we are monitoring the COVID situation,” Ganguly said after being named brand ambassador of the Bengal Peerless group here.

“Everything is fluid. It’s been hard for the last six months to keep everything in order. You want your cricket to happen. You want lives to get back to normal, there are players involved. But you also want to have a close look at the COVID situation,” Ganguly added.

On to domestic cricket and under normal circumstances, the BCCI would have already started its mega season with Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy, the U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy, Vijay Hazare and Deodhar Trophy, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

In 2019-20 it hosted 2036 domestic games across various age groups in the men’s and women’s category but creating a bio-bubble for so many teams across the country will be next to impossible given the virus threat.

“We are monitoring it. We want to have our domestic season. We have all the combinations, situations ready in our mind. We will try and make it happen as much as we can,” he reiterated.

Ganguly was also asked about the lacklustre IPL form of recently-retired ex-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He backed the iconic finisher to come good for Chennai Super kings.

“In the current situation, it will take some time for him to get back to his old touch. He played a cricket match after about one year and six months. It’s not easy however good you are. It will take some time,” he said.

“When Dhoni was in prime form and was the captain, then I was in broadcast and had said that he should bat at number four,” he recalled.

Ganguly was content with the fact that the IPL overcame the pandemic to go ahead after months of delay, albeit on foreign shores (the UAE).

“Nobody was sure that how much of IPL will happen, or whether it would happen at all. The situation was in nobody’s control. But we had to do the IPL. We wanted our lives to be back,” he said.

“The only challenge for IPL was, there were about 300 people in a city. For a bilateral, there are about 50-60 people in a city. The more the people, the harder it becomes.

“Touchwood it’s going good. I must congratulate the players. It’s been hardest for them because it’s not easy to stay in a hotel room for two months. Lot of credit to them,” he added.

Ganguly was non-committal on the mega players’ auction ahead of the next IPL season, which is now due in few months’ time.

“No decision has been taken. Let this IPL happen and then we will decide. Normally we get 10 months’ break between two IPLs but this time we are left with just four-five months’ time,” he said.

The former opener was also asked about a possible farewell match for Dhoni, who retired from international cricket last month.

“I spoke to him on the day of his retirement. I could not during the IPL as we can’t reach them. They are in a bubble,” he said.

“I’ve not spoken to him on this. But Dhoni deserves everything for what he has achieved for India. (However) It’s very difficult to predict the future because everything is fluid. It’s not the same situation now. Can’t just say ‘you come and play here’,” he added.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...ganguly-950353

[Varun]

Modi can go visit Pakistan and hug their PM
Modi's lapdog media can have Pakistani guests
Trade can continue
Soldiers can exchange sweets on Diwali/Eid

But us fans must be deprived of cricket, for the sake of nationalism. Sick.

You are right, BCCI can't do anything, ultimately ball lies in GOI's court. Evan Dalmiya would have found resumprion of bilateral cricket impossible under this regime, Vajpayee's BJP and Congress were far more reasonable.

At this rate, how are Pakistan going to participate in the 2021 World Cup?

[cricketjoshila]

At this rate, how are Pakistan going to participate in the 2021 World Cup?

Like they did in 2016.

[Rana]

If Pakistan is going to be excluded and isolated in UAE whilst the rest of the world plays in India, I hope we simply dont participate at all.

[cricketjoshila]

I feel this is done to host Pakistan’s and few other games in 2021 T20 and 2023 WC. It makes sense as I doubt India wouldn’t allow Pakistani players to play on their soil.

If this is indeed the case then I wonder what would transpire if Pakistan makes it to the finals.

Its done to host india matches if Covid situation doesn't improve.

BCCI has kept the provision opened.

Also STAR is keeping a crew of production team and commies in a bubble in Mumbai that will work as a template for creating a bubble for hosting matches in India.

[Varun]

Like they did in 2016.

2016 was before this government turned uber-extremist. Everything since the UP elections in March 2017 has been hubris after hubris. In a cricket context, they couldn't even host Pakistan for an Asia Cup in 2018, and had to run to the UAE.

[cricketjoshila]

2016 was before this government turned uber-extremist. Everything since the UP elections in March 2017 has been hubris after hubris. In a cricket context, they couldn't even host Pakistan for an Asia Cup in 2018, and had to run to the UAE.

2018 Hockey WC was held in India. Pakistanis participated.

[Varun]

2018 Hockey WC was held in India. Pakistanis participated.

Nobody cares about hockey.

[MMHS]

So, basically BCCI is planning in advance for the ENG series, just in case it becomes to complicated to host it in India. OCT 2021 is a year away, but it also needs an alternate option - just in case.

[Varun]

So, basically BCCI is planning in advance for the ENG series, just in case it becomes to complicated to host it in India. OCT 2021 is a year away, but it also needs an alternate option - just in case.

I don't think it's October though? It's Jan-Mar 2021.

[JattMaula]

So, basically BCCI is planning in advance for the ENG series, just in case it becomes to complicated to host it in India. OCT 2021 is a year away, but it also needs an alternate option - just in case.

Can't let those test champ points go now that we actually need them to quality.

[cricketjoshila]

Nobody cares about hockey.

So its a precedent. Pakistanis will get Visa for 2021 WC.

[MMHS]

I don't think it's October though? It's Jan-Mar 2021.

I was talking about the T20 WC in next October - don't think CV is going away soon; yesterday Ontario suffered it's worst day ever : 700+

[shamaan]

If Pakistan is going to be excluded and isolated in UAE whilst the rest of the world plays in India, I hope we simply dont participate at all.

Pcb wont allow anymore matches to be played in uea it's either in pakistan or nothing

[Rana]

Pcb wont allow anymore matches to be played in uea it's either in pakistan or nothing

I meant for the 2021 World Cup.

We have no need to be isolated anymore. Our cricketers are not Terrorists

[shamaan]

I meant for the 2021 World Cup.

We have no need to be isolated anymore. Our cricketers are not Terrorists

Oh if the world cup is in eua they will play it defo.of course they not