Wednesday, March 25, 2009

South Africa to host second edition of IPL

Johannesburg, Mar 24 (PTI) Ending three weeks of suspense and uncertainty, the IPL today chose South Africa for hosting the second edition of the highly popular Twenty20 cricket tournament that will start from April 18.

The 59 matches will be played in six stadiums across the country at prime time of 4 pm and 8 pm IST and will be telecast live by SuperSport of South Africa where the tournament was shifted in view of security concerns in the wake of Lahore terror attack and IPL dates coinciding with general elections.

The decision to host the tournament in South Africa in preference to England was taken primarily on account favourable weather conditions here, IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi told a joint press conference with Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola after hectic discussions that clinched the issue.

"The major and overwhelming reason for hosting the tournament in South Africa is primarily the favourable weather conditions in April-May in South Africa than they would have been in England," Modi said.

He said it was difficult to answer now the question of the cost of hosting the tournament in South Africa but it is going to be "much much higher" than it would have been in India.

But he promised the franchisees that the IPL would bear the differential cost on account of the tournament being held abroad. PTI

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