IPL matches will be held outside India: BCCI

Mumbai, Mar 22 (ANI): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday announced that none of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season two matches will be held in India.

The decision came after the working committee of the BCCI held an emergency meeting here to discuss matters related to this year's IPL matches and determine a course of action that would be acceptable to all the stakeholders and the Union Home Ministry.

Blaming the state government's dismissive attitude towards providing security during the matches, BCCI president Shashank Manohar apologised to the people of India for failure to host the much-awaited tournament in the country.

The IPL format and dates will remain the same. The matches can be viewed at 4 p.m. IST and 8 p.m. IST on the match days.

South Africa and England pose as the next alternative venues for the matches.

Wanderers, Centurion and Potchefstroom are likely venues for the mega event, if South Africa takes over the tournament this year.

According to reports, IPL chairman Modi and Cricket South Africa boss Gerald Majola have already discussed about making a last-minute transfer of the tournament to that country.

However, senior officials from India and South Africa have dismissed such reports.

The IPL tournament is scheduled to be held from April 10 to May 24. (ANI)