IPL 2020: Sharjah in talks to host Women’s T20 Challenge

The women’s T20 challenge is all likely to start during the tail end of the Indian Premier League. The venue for the tournament is all likely to be Sharjah, as mild preparations have already begun for the Indian players. It would be the third season of the tournament.  

Yet another update has come forth, pertaining to the Women's T20 Challenge that is most likely to be held in Dubai. With almost a month left for this mega event, it will most probably be held on the sidelines of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Planning for the same, 30-36 Indian players, who will take part in the three-team tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAR), are likely to assemble in Mumbai on October 13, for a nine-day quarantine period. This is the first plan that has been charted out, following the announcement of the tournament on August 2.

As of now, the Sourav Ganguly-led Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not hinted at an iota regarding the T20 Challenge, its fixtures, or the squads' after the announcement they made in August. However, the support staff of the three teams, the Indian players, are expected to reach Dubai by October 21.

The third edition of the T20 Challenge is likely to be scheduled to run from November 4-9, during the IPL playoffs week. It is all expected that all the squads will together stay in a hotel in Dubai and abide by the strictly-monitored biosecure environment.

Similar to the IPL protocols, the women's players will undergo a mandatory six-day quarantine, post which the testing procedures will take place, as per their plans. Upon receiving a green signal after negative tests, the women brigade will start training. Each team will most likely go four training sessions before starting with the tournament.

The season is unlikely to see the participation of any Australians or New Zealanders, who will be engaged in Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), starting from October 25. Participation is likely to be seen from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and a few other countries after abiding by all preventive measures.