Dalmiya gets BCCI invite for final

Almost a year after ousting Jagmohan Dalmiya from Indian cricket officialdom, BCCI president Sharad Pawar today invited the former supremo to attend the Champions Trophy final in Mumbai on November 5.

Apart from Dalmiya, the BCCI has also sent 8220;guest invitations8221; to Dalmiya loyalist and former BCCI joint-secretary Gautam Das Gupta. Dalmiya8217;s office at the Cricket Association of Bengal CAB has confirmed receipt of both invitations. Apart from being invited for the day-night final to be played at the Brabourne Stadium, Dalmiya and Das Gupta will also attend the BCCI8217;s awards night slated for November 4 in Mumbai.

The Board8217;s move to formally invite Dalmiya and Das Gupta comes at a time when the two sides are locked in a bitter battle over allegations of financial irregularities involving the 1996 World Cup funds. In fact, Dalmiya has been asked by the BCCI to appear before its disciplinary committee at Mohali on October 29 and submit his reply to the charges.