MCA wants to avoid Pakistan match, asks for Australia game

It is learnt that the decision was taken during the MCA’s managing committee meeting held on Sunday.

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BCCI had already decided that Pakistan will not be playing any of their league matches in Maharasthra. (Source: File)

In order to avoid a tricky situation where they might have to host the Pakistan team during the World T20, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) are set to request the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allot the India vs Australia league match at Wankhede Stadium instead of a semifinal, which was originally the case.

It is learnt that the decision was taken during the MCA’s managing committee meeting held on Sunday where president Sharad Pawar had expressed his desire to host an India match.

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According to the proposed World T20 schedule that the BCCI has sent to the ICC for approval, the match in question was to be held in Chennai with Mumbai and Delhi to host the two semifinals.

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Chennai has already been ruled out as a venue for India matches and a cloud still hangs over whether the MA Chidambaram Stadium will even play host during the World T20 owing to the issue regarding the three disputed stands. That leaves the India-Australia game in limbo presently, and according to a BCCI official the MCA’s request could well be obliged.

“If the MCA requests us then we have no problem in alloting them the India vs Australia game. It will be the best scenario for all of us, including the MCA,” he said.

India-Pakistan at Dharamsala

Meanwhile, the India-Pakistan league encounter will be held at the picturesque Dharamsala stadium as per the proposed plan. And the BCCI had already decided that Pakistan will not be playing any of their league matches in Maharasthra owing to the security risks involved with political parties like Shiv Sena threatening to disrupt these matches.

“Having knockouts here could lead to a law and order issue if Pakistan manages to reach the semis. Pawar has said that he will be speaking with BCCI president Shashank Manohar on this matter and instead of hosting knockouts, the MCA will express their desire to host the league encounter against Australia,” a MCA official explained.

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Elsewhere, Delhi too is not expected to receive any important matches during the World T20 following the recent spate of controversies involving the DDCA and the city authorities that almost led to the Ferozshah Kotla missing out on hosting the fourth Test between India and South Africa next month.

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