One more Dalmiya backer does U-turn

BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah told The Indian Express today that a team appointed by the Board will fly to London in the next few days to have detailed talks on the issue with Mani.

Apparently, Mani has assured the BCCI that he will make available some key documents, 8216;8216;missing8217;8217; all this while, which can help the Board tighten the screws on Dalmiya.

8216;8216;Mr Mani has informed us that he will help us with all possible documents. The Board8217;s treasurer N Srinivasan will arrange a short trip to London for a couple of people who specialise in scrutinising accounts and financial matters. Hopefully, it will work out soon,8217;8217; said Shah.

According to another senior BCCI official, 8216;8216;Mani was at the helm of PILCOM affairs during the World Cup in 1996. We understand that the very documents that Dalmiya is saying he doesn8217;t have with him anymore are actually with Mani. If we get those accounts-related papers, the puzzle could be complete.8217;8217;

Dalmiya has already been summoned by the BCCI8217;s disciplinary committee for a hearing in New Delhi on July 26, where the Board intends to grill the Cricket Association of Bengal CAB president over the PILCOM accounts issue.

However, it8217;s learnt that Dalmiya, busy with the CAB elections coming up on July 30, is planning to request the BCCI to defer the hearing till after the elections.