CUTTACK: Barabati stadium is likely to host one of the T20 matches of the India- New Zealand series on November 4.
“Though we have not received any written confirmation about selection of Barabati stadium venue, but BCCI officials have verbally confirmed the matter to us,” said Odisha Cricket Association’s(OCA) working committee chairman, Dhiren Palei.
OCA officials said BCCI’s tours and fixture committee had its meeting on Tuesday to decide venues for various series. The BCCI had asked OCA about availability of Barabati stadium on November 4. “As we have no tournaments or matches lined up on November 4 at Barabati we expressed our consent to host the T20 match here,” added Palei.
Cricket buffs in the state are happy about the development as this is for the second time Barabati will host a Twenty20 international match.
On October 5, 2015, a T20 match was played between India and South Africa at Barabati stadium, but the match has left some bitter memories for OCA. Upset with the Team India’s performance, crowd had hurled plastic bottles onto the field forcing interruptions during the T20 match. OCA had invited widespread criticism after the incident.
“OCA had proved its mettle by successfully hosting ODI between India and England on January 19. And by hosting the T20 match successfully on November 4 we will be able to quite all our critics,” said a senior OCA official.
“After a long time, we will be able to watch T20 international match. It will be lot of fun,” said Subham Das, a cricket lover.
Barabati to host T20I match on Nov 4
