South Africa to host Indian Premier League

South Africa will host the Indian Premier League (IPL) during April and May, it was confirmed at a press conference here on Tuesday.

The decision follows days of frenetic speculation over whether South Africa or England would earn the right to host the second edition of a dazzling show featuring the international stars of cricket. South Africa was chosen even before IPL commissioner Lalit Modi held talks with officials of the England and Wales Cricket Board in London, scheduled for Wednesday.

Modi and Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Gerald Majola told media at Wanderers Club here that the Twenty20 tournament would be staged from April 18 into May, probably at six venues.

“To move the event outside India has been one of the hardest decisions that the Board of Control for Cricket in India has had to take, but I’m equally confident that staging it in South Africa will be a major success,” said Modi. “We extend a huge gratitude to our friends at Cricket South Africa for agreeing to host the Indian Premier League in such a short time.

“I’m sure all South African cricket fans are looking forward to the spectacle of seeing the world’s best players compete against each other in this tournament.

“The South African public loves Twenty2O cricket and CSA successfully hosted the inaugural World Twenty20.

“Both these factors weighed heavily in favour of South Africa, and we look forward to a successful and exciting tournament being held at venues throughout the country.” Majola said: “The organisers can be assured they have the full support of CSA structures and the South African public to stage a successful tournament.

“This will strengthen the ties even further between South African and Indian cricket, as well as binding our nations even closer together.

AFP