IPL matches against Associates and Affiliates a non starter

The Indian board may have given the go-ahead to the Indian Premier League franchises to play with the Associate and Affiliate countries, but the matches will most likely remain non-starters according to reports in the Indian media.

None of the teams is likely to play with any country this year. The franchises and associate countries claim there is not enough time to organise the games, but the real reasons go beyond that.

The BCCI has given the franchises time up to August 31 to play a maximum of three matches. The franchises explored options of setting up games against countries such as Scotland, Ireland, Canada, USA and UAE, but nothing seems to have worked out. “This year it is not possible. The time is too short,” said a franchise official.