Saudi Arabia has no plans to start a T20 cricket league but is open to hosting Indian Premier League (IPL) matches with an ‘international stadium to be built in Jeddah’, Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) chairman Saud bin Mishaal Al Saud said.

According to a report in cricbuzz.com, Al Saud clarified that Saudi Arabia is not going to invest in the IPL. There have been reports of the oil-rich country starting its own league as well as investing in the IPL. “That is not correct…that is not true as well,” Al Saud was quoted as saying by cricbuzz.com.

On the possibility of Saudi hosting IPL matches, the chairman said, “Why not.” SACF will have discussions with the BCCI as well as the Saudi government on hosting IPL matches.

Saudi’s PIF (Public Investment Fund) has made investments across sports, in tennis, football and golf.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the face of big Saudi money in their domestic league, while Saudi has also bought Newcastle. The PIF invested a reported $2 billion in LIV Golf,a breakaway league, which has attracted top players.

Al Saud also said that hosting the IPL auction was the first major step in the kingdom getting into cricket. “The IPL auction is a major first step. It will help us fasttrack some of our plans. Hosting it would not have been possible without the big support from the Saudi Government and Jay Shah (the BCCI secretary),” he said.

The mega IPL auction was held in Jeddah on Sunday and Monday. Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in the history of the league when Lucknow SuperGiants shelled out Rs 27 crore for him.

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