BCCI ready to reschedule IPL

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is looking to reschedule its popular Indian Premier League (IPL) after the government, worried by Tuesday's attack in Lahore, said the security forces would be preoccupied with the Lok Sabha elections.

Six members of the Sri Lanka team and a coach were wounded when gunmen attacked their bus in Lahore on Tuesday, heightening security concerns for the IPL involving many international players and due to be staged between April 10 and May 24.

The Twenty20 tournament had been looking to rework dates for some of the games because it would have clashed with the poll, a multi-phased affair to help deploy security forces for the massive exercise.

India goes to the polls between April 16 and May 13 with the votes to be counted three days later.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said he has asked the senior-most bureaucrat to discuss the issue with BCCI officials.

"I have spoken to the home secretary and asked him to get in touch with the [league] organisers to find out if the schedule can be adjusted," Chidambaram told CNN-IBN channel.

He added: "Cricket in India will be safe. We will provide security. Only that [whether] the dates are adjusted so that our security forces are not stretched."

The franchise league drew big crowds in its inaugural edition in 2008.

Indian media reported on Wednesday the BCCI is considering whether it could ensure no match was played when elections are held in a particular city.

The attack has thrown major sporting events in the region into serious doubt. New Delhi is due to stage the Commonwealth Games next year and India are then due to jointly host the 2011 World Cup alongside Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Pakistan's hopes of co-hosting games have almost vanished following the attack.