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Xtra Time Web Desk: Cricket Association Bengal (CAB) President Snehasish Ganguly looked a relaxed man on Wednesday after Eden Gardens got the hosting rights of 5 games in upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including a semi-final. Snehasish in an interview to Xtra Time said he would like to take suggestions from ex-BCCI and CAB President Sourav Ganguly so that the matches are organized in a smooth way.

“We will involve Sourav and he is always there. Without him no event is possible at Eden Gardens. He is a part of this team. He organized the Pink Ball test smoothly and I observed him from close quarters,” Snehasish said to Xtra Time.

Eden Gardens will be hosting its first match on October 28 between Qualifier 1 and Bangladesh, followed by Pakistan vs Bangladesh on October 31, India vs South Africa on November 5, England vs Pakistan on November 12 and the big Semifinal on November 16.

Also Read: Where will Pakistan play if they qualify for the semi-final of World Cup 2023? | CWC 2023

Kolkata was never in the fray as far as hosting the semi-final was concerned. Chennai and Bengaluru were the frontrunners but Kolkata snatched the semi-final at the last moment, courtesy BCCI secretary Jay Shah. Snehasish along with CAB top officials were at Jay Shah’s office on Tuesday afternoon and after lengthy discussions Eden Gardens was finally given the honour to host the semi-final match.

"When I met Mr Shah during the Women's Premier League in Mumbai, I convinced him about the fantastic facilities at the Eden Gardens and the renovations and upgrades we are doing. I also assured him that the renovation will be fully completed much ahead of the World Cup. I even showed him the design and the way we are going to remodel parts of the stadium," Ganguly said.

"He (Shah) was happy to see our progress and assured us of big and high-profile games. I want to thank him again and make the games at Eden a success."

The President also was confident of hosting and giving full security to the Pakistan team during the mega event.

"We earlier hosted Pakistan, so it is nothing new to us. We are up for the challenge and ready to accept it. We will give our best in making everything possible to make the stadium and the facilities world-class," he said.

Speaking on the potential India-Pakistan semifinal in Kolkata, Ganguly said, "It will be a grand success. If that happens, we are confident and ready to host any big match given to us.

Security will not be a problem as Kolkata Police is one of the best. Besides we always get the full support of our beloved CM Smt Mamata Banerjee and her whole team in all of our endeavours."

Asked would there be additional pressure as two high profile matches coincided with Lakshmi Puja and Kali Puja, he said: "It will only add to the festive fervour. It is not a problem. The Eden crowd is very educated and loves good cricket. The games will increase the festive mood."