Kolkata: Former Indian captain and Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly hailed the staging of the marquee India-Pakistan clash in WorldT20 as a tribute to former BCCI & CAB president late Jagmohan Dalmiya.
“It’s a tribute to late Mr Dalmiya. He was instrumental in bringing the final of World T20 to Eden Gardens.I am sure he must be smiling from heaven to see BCCI reward the marquee match to Eden Gardens.”
Sourav admitted it was a team effort that was possible to bring the match to Eden Gardens as Mohali and Bengaluru was also in contention to host the match. “I do not take credit for getting this match at Eden Gardens. It’s a team game which made this possible.”
Sourav while admitting he felt sad for Dharamsala drew a comparison of facing a similar sentiment when India-England match was shifted from Eden Gardens to Chinnaswamy at the last moment during the ICC World Cup in 2011.
“I feel sad for Dharamshala. But we also faced a similar sentiment back in 2011 when the India-England match was taken away from us during the ICC World Cup. Late Mr. Dalmiya and myself tried our level best to bring back the match. But that was not possible eventually.”
According to Sourav, it is a challenge for him and the association to host the match successfully. Although he did maintain facing Pakistan on 22 yards was even more challenging. “I have played many India-Pakistan matches in my career. It was a even bigger challenge on the field than organizing the match as an administrator”.
The tickets for the mouth watering clash will go for sale from March 14. The association will get the tickets on March 12.
According to sources, Pakistan Cricket Board wanted the match to be staged at either Kolkata or Mohali. But BCCI wanted the match to be staged at Bengaluru or Kolkata. But logistical advantage tilted the decision in Kolkata’s favor.
Insiders in the CAB feel Avishek Dalmiya played a very important part in bringing the match to Eden Gardens. The CAB Jt. Secretary has been in constant touch with BCCI president Shashank Manohar and ICC during the last few days.
Meanwhile , BCCI secretary Anrurag Thakur today lashed out at the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government saying they tarnished the image of the state and country by forcing the marquee India-Pakistan World T20 match out of Dharamsala.
“I think it gives a wrong impression about the country, about the state which is not in the interest of a country like India. Due to one state not delivering why should India get a bad name,” an angry Thakur told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event here.
“All I can say is that the negative atmosphere created by the ruling party doesn’t go well with the fans, sponsors and the country as a host. “They (Himachal Pradesh government) have left no stone unturned to destroy the image of the state and the country. To give different statements everyday has probably become their habit,” he said.
After days of hectic activities and inspection by a Pakistan security delegation, the ICC today finally decided to relocate the match to the iconic Eden Gardens where Pakistan will be based for the initial stages of the event.