Crowds capped at 60 per cent for IPL resumption in the UAE

A report in the United Arab Emirates suggests grounds in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah will be more than half full for the remaining 31 matches

IPL confirm revised 2021 schedule: Full fixture list for UAE leg of Indian Premier League

Attendances for the resumption of the Indian Premier League in the United Arab Emirates will be capped at 60 per cent, reports suggest.

The Telegraph understand the figure has been agreed on after talks between the UAE government, the BCCI and the Emirates Cricket Board.

The remaining 31 matches will be staged in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah from September 19.

While the Sheikh Zayed Stadium can house 20,000 fans, 25,000 and 27,000 spectators fit into the Dubai International Stadium and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, respectively.

Amid a decline in cases of Covid-19 in the UAE, restrictions have recently been eased allowing more people to meet in public settings such as restaurants, shopping centres and hotels.

Speaking at the start of the month, ECB secretary Mubashir Usmani told Gulf News: "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 expat and Emirati sports-loving fans in the UAE to be able to watch the action from the stands."

Prior to being shut down earlier in the year due to Covid outbreaks within the squads, the start of the IPL in India was played in front of empty stadia.

The premier T20 franchise tournament returns to the Gulf region for a second consecutive year.

Contact tracing bands will not be used for the second half of the competition, with decisions over close contacts to be made by the four Bubble Integrity Officers stationed with each team.

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