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Picture Credit: IPL/BCCI

We are just one week away from the much-anticipated resumption of IPL 2021 in UAE. While the schedule, dates and venues have been finalized, fans are still waiting for an official confirmation regarding the entry of fans inside the stadiums during the second phase of the season. Notably, there was no crowd allowed when the tournament happened in UAE last year in 2020.

However, with the COVID-19 situation quite better than the last year, UAE government have reportedly given permission to allow partially-filled stadiums during the tournament.  In conversation with IANS, a BCCI official told, “Yes, it will be allowed this time as both the BCCI and UAE government have given a green light to let the crowd enter the stadium partially. Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is doing everything possible to keep a check on cases (Covid-19).”

Only those who are vaccinated will be allowed entry: BCCI official

The news is certainly going to delight the cricket lovers who are eagerly waiting to get back into the stadiums and witness some thrilling T20 action in UAE. However, the BCCI official also mentioned that the tournament might have only vaccinated crowd inside the stadiums as a precautionary measure.

“The UAE government has mentioned that only those who are vaccinated will be allowed entry. UAE is also witnessing a decrease in COVID-19 cases. So, let’s see what happens in the future, but right now, fans are allowed,” the BCCI official added.

60% stadium capacity expected to be allowed

ECB general secretary Mubashir Usmani had also earlier revealed their plans of getting the fans back into the stadium for second phase of IPL 2021.

“As hosts, ECB will work closely with the authorities to seek approval on what protocols need to be followed — this includes fan attendance, we will then discuss it with the BCCI as well as the ICC to assess their spectator requirements. We want our ex-pat and Emirati sports-loving fans in the UAE to be able to watch the action from the stands,” Usmani had said as quoted by Gulf News.

Although many tournaments across the globe have started to have full-capacity crowd, IPL 2021 could see only partially-filled stadiums with 60% capacity at all venues (Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah).