India will opt for UAE to finish IPL if they have an option: Salman Butt

Former Pakistan opener Salman Butt feels that the UAE will be the preferred option for BCCI to host the remaining 31 games of the 14^th season of the Indian Premier League, as that is the tried and tested option to pull off the high profile tournament. IPL 2021 was going along smoothly before the COVID-19 virus hit a few of the players from the franchise and that prompted the BCCI to suspend the tournament on May 4th.

The BCCI is now looking at other possible options to stage the remaining 31 matches as England and UAE have come forward to host the event. The 13^th edition of IPL was held in UAE, which made all the stakeholders and franchise owners happy.

During a discussion on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt picked the UAE as the best alternative to stage the remainder of the tournament.

“The first thing is what are the options available. You look for a better option when you have two or three places, to see which one suits you better. I think India will opt for UAE if they have an option. But they know their position better,” said Butt.

Salman Butt feels UAE is the perfect venue to host the IPL

Butt also stated that UAE’s climate and conditions works in India’s favour rather than England’s climate.

“Firstly, it is near and it might be to everyone’s liking because in England their domestic season is running along with which there is the World Test Championship, their own series and then the inaugural Hundred tournament,” added Butt.

The former batter also pointed out that England’s pitches and its tiredness could go against India as England is set to host seven Test matches and The Hundred tournament within the next two to three months.

“When you have so much cricketing activity, it will obviously be there on their big centers. And if IPL has to fit in there, it will also happen in those top centers. At times, these pitches and grounds get worn out after so much use,” said Butt.

India are set to play World Test Championship final in England and a five-match Test series in the month of August and September.