It’s a busy time in the cricket world. Pakistan has been told it can’t host matches in the 2011 World Cup while the second edition of the Indian Premier League, this time being played in South Africa, starts on Saturday.

IPL fans are preparing themselves for what should be 59 scintillating Twenty20 matches, played at a frantic pace by the very best players in the world.

The Chennai Super Kings first meet the Mumbai Indians at Newlands in Cape Town, the start of what is expected to be a flamboyant, fun-filled tournament, draped in Bollywood glamour.

The tournament, as the name suggests, should have been hosted in India.

The venue for the competition was switched to South Africa because of concerns over security given the league clashes with the Indian election.

The switch has encountered problems, most notably a dispute between the IPL and suite holders at major stadiums.

The IPL wanted suite holders to hand over their boxes, which brought an angry response from locals, some even threatening to barricade their suites to prevent them from being used.

However, the change of host has done nothing to dampen the fans’ interest with tickets selling out fast and media interest sky high.

England’s two best players — Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen — are new additions to the tournament and the most expensive signings in the IPL.

They would each have received 1.1 million pounds for their services, although this will be reduced to a pro-rata figure as they are not available for all the matches due to obligations to the England team.

The IPL is unlike any other cricket competition, as organisers attempt to offer audiences a total entertainment experience, including pop music, dancing cheerleaders, celebrities and relentless advertising.

If the cricket lives up to the hype, South Africa’s IPL should be every bit as good as last year’s and the troubled run up to the event can be left in the shade.

PHOTO: Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Lalit Modi (R) waves to crowds during a street parade by teams competing in the IPL T20 cricket tournament in Cape Town April 16, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings