Dubai will host IPL cricket matches during the second-half of April after a ruling by the Board of Control for Cricket. 

The Indian Premier League, which is regarded as the most exciting form of cricket and regularly features the best players in the world, will take place across the UAE – including Abu Dhabi and Sharjah – between April 16 and 30.

Players like Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen and Shane Warne have all played in previous tournaments. The concept sees teams bid for leading names from around the world to play in a special 20-over form of the game.

The reason for the switch is that elections are being held in India, with polling stations expected to close before May 1. After that, the tournament will return ‘home’, or will switch to Bangladesh until May 13. The concluding two weeks will play out in India, with the final on June 1.

The general elections are scheduled to be held in nine phases from April 7 to May 12. As a result, the government refused to provide security for the sports spectacular.

A statement which announced the news, said: “[The] BCCI is extremely conscious of the various complexities involved, but hopes for a favourable consideration. [The] BCCI will abide by the decision of the authorities in this regard.

“If it is not possible to play in India during this period (May 1-12), IPL matches will be held in Bangladesh and BCCI is thankful to the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the government of Bangladesh for their support.”

This is the second time that the event has had to be forced out of the country due to elections after the entire tournament was switched to South Africa five years ago.

For more information, visit iplt20.com

Here is the full line-up of fixtures in Dubai…
April 19: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians AND Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Daredevils in Dubai
April 23: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings in Dubai
April 25: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Daredevils AND Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians in Dubai
April 28: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab in Dubai
April 30: Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Dubai

And in the rest of the UAE…
April 16: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi
April 17: Delhi Daredevils vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Sharjah
April 18: Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab AND Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi
April 20: Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah
April 21: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Daredevils in Abu Dhabi
April 22: Kings XI Punjab vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Sharjah
April 24: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Sharjah
April 26: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore AND Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi
April 27: Delhi Daredevils vs Mumbai Indians AND Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings in Sharjah
April 29: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi