MUMBAI: After days of speculation and curiosity around the schedule for Pepsi IPL 2014, the IPL Governing Council in a meeting held in Chennai today has confirmed the first phase of matches being played in the UAE.

The first leg of the tournament will be contested from16 April to 30 April. A total of 20 matches will be played in three stadiums — the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi; the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah; and the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.

The opening match on Wednesday, 16 April, will be played in Abu Dhabi, and contested between 2013 winners – Mumbai Indians and the 2012 IPL champions – Kolkata Knight Riders.

Pursuant to the initiative taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, many State Governments have indicated that IPL matches can be conducted in their respective states. Based on the responses received so far, the BCCI believes that the Pepsi IPL 2014 can be conducted in India from the first week of May.

The schedule for the remaining 40 matches will be announced in due course.

Indiantelevision.com will keep you posted on further updates.