The Dubai International Stadium (above) will be one of the venues of the upcoming IPL 7

Once the hub of match-fixing activities, Sharjah is one of the three UAE venues selected for hosting Indian Premier League (IPL) 7′s first phase matches, but Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials say the Board took the decision after getting assurances from the UAE government and carrying out extensive recce.

According to the Board, there was no point singling out Sharjah only as corrupt activities can take place in any venue across the world.

“In India the bookies are more active too. Are there not bookies in South Africa? What guarantee do we have anywhere?” a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.

“We can educate the players. We can create a bubble where we can secure the players’ movements and them meeting people.