BCCI cuts short teams’ stay in Guwahati

In a letter to the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) the BCCI has informed the state body that Pakistan will arrive in Guwahati late in the afternoon of November 4, ACA secretary Bikash Barua said this evening. The Indian team, too, is slated to fly down to Guwahati on the afternoon of November 4.

The late arrival of the two teams in Guwahati will make it virtually impossible for the players to undergo routine practice that precedes any international match.

“The Board has sent us a letter, intimating us of the change in schedule (Pakistan were initially supposed to reach Guwahati on November 3). We are ready anyway with whatever will be asked of us. The Pakistan team is arriving late in the afternoon on November 4, but if they want any practice session, then we will arrange a light session for them,” said Barua.

The visitors will play a preparatory one-dayer at the Ferozeshah Kotla on November 2 after arriving in New Delhi on November 1. They are now scheduled to board the 3.15pm hour-long flight to Guwahati on November 4.

As for the hosts, Dhoni & Co will have a two-day conditioning camp in Kolkata on November 2 and 3. They will take the next day’s afternoon flight to Guwahati, and may somehow manage to squeeze some time out for practice.

The obvious reason behind the BCCI’s decision is the security situation in Guwahati. “As far as security measures are concerned, we are well prepared. Both teams will be given special care. All arrangements here are at their best,” assured ACA secretary Barua.