Sri Lanka Cricket offer to host rescheduled IPL

The United Arab Emirates is under consideration to stage the remaining 31 matches while England have reportedly also submitted a proposal

IPL 2021 suspended following outbreak of Covid-19 cases at four franchises

Sri Lanka has emerged as the latest candidate to host the remaining matches of the 2021 Indian Premier League.

Thirty-one games - the second half of the group phase and the playoffs - remain after the tournament was postponed following a minor outbreak of Covid'19 cases inside the bio-secure bubble.

India is increasingly looking like an untenable venue for any restart due to the situation around coronavirus infections, with the BCCI now consideration alternative arrangements.

The United Arab Emirates, where the entire 2020 tournament was staged during the first Covid wave, is the front-runner to host both the rest of the tournament and the men's T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, ESPNCricinfo understands a cluster of English counties have submitted a proposal to host the matches.

Outgoing management committee chairperson Professor Arjuna de Silva has now thrown Sri Lanka's cap in the ring.

"Yes, we can certainly provide a window to host the IPL in the month of September," de Silva told the Deccan Chronicle.

"We hear the UAE is their one option but Sri Lanka cannot be ignored for all reasons.

"We are planning to host the Lanka Premier League in July-August and the grounds and other infrastructure will be ready for the IPL in September."

De Silva is due to be replaced at the top of Sri Lankan cricket later this month, so it remains to be seen whether the offer remains beyond his departure.

On Friday, Sri Lanka record 1,914 cases of coronavirus as the infection rate continues to rise.

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