South Africa named host for IPL

South Africa was today chosen to host the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which has been shifted out of India because of security apprehensions.

The decision to hold the lucrative Twenty20 tournament was taken after a meeting between IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi and Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola at an undisclosed venue.

Although no official announcement has been made yet, sources said that the tournament will be held between April 18 and May 24, a delay of about one week from the original schedule.

Eight venues have been identified for staging the eight-team tournament and the matches will start at 4 pm IST and 8 pm IST to make it convenient for Indian television viewers.

South Africa pipped England as the venue after the BCCI decided to shift the tournament outside India because of security issues in view of the general elections.

England was initially tipped to be the front-runner but the wet weather there during April and May swayed the IPL officials to consider South Africa as the preferred venue.

Another reason for England's chances receding is the assurance from South Africa government and CSA officials that the tournament will receive full support.

South Africa was considered to be a better option because the cost of running the tournament would be substantially less than in England and their domestic event would have concluded by the time IPL began, sources said.