Dubai is almost certain to become the headquarters of the International Cricket Council. According to a senior cricketer who attended the ICC Cricket Committee meeting in Dubai, the shifting of the ICC headquarters from London to Dubai is now just a formality.

Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, in an exclusive interview to Gulf News had revealed that the talks with the Dubai government officials were positive.

Though he had named a few other countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Ireland and Switzerland as contenders for the ICC headquarters, most of the ICC officials are in favour of Dubai.

It is understood that the Dubai government had agreed to certain suggestions from the ICC with regard to the allotment of space and monetary issues.

Speed had even mentioned that further discussions would be followed up through correspondence.

ICC officials have almost collected all details on Dubai and will be ready to present it before the ICC board meeting in June.

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are sure to back Dubai due to their proximity. Even Australia and New Zealand are likely to support Dubai rather than a Far Eastern country.

With so many direct flights available to Dubai from almost all the cricket playing nations, this venue is likely to be preferred by the frequent travelling ICC officials.

Many of them would be able to reach their country within few hours after attending any meeting here. Emirates airline, as the official sponsors of international cricket umpires, have also been supporting cricket in a big way.

According to the source, a few more ICC meetings are being scheduled to be held here in the coming months.