Assam Cricket Association Optimistic Amidst Criticism

Tickets refund to start from January 11

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Although Assam Cricket Association is in news for the wrong reason the officials of the association are confident that last night’s incidents would not make any negative impact to get future international matches, including IPL.

‘Silly mistake’ from the ground staff put Assam Cricket Association in a very embarrassing situation as the first T20I between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned without a ball being bowled. City witnessed rain during the last evening and the water seepage in to the pitch. The damage was beyond repairable on time and umpire called off the game after several round of inspections.

Assam Cricket Association is facing criticism from the former cricketers for this entire episode. Akash chopra, who was in Guwahati with the commentary team, said: “It’s nothing but a school boy error. It is some amount of negligence and you can’t have an excuse at this level.” Another former Team India member VVS Laxman also termed the incidents an “elementary mistake”.

However the officials of the Assam Cricket Association are very much optimistic and they feel that it’s not a big issues and won’t create a problem to get future international matches along with IPL. The officials addressing different media said that they didn’t receive any queries from BCCI on last night’s incidents. They even added that BCCI officials, who visited Guwahati to witness the match, assured that the city will get at least three matches of IPL.

Although ACA officials may be optimistic about getting more international matches in the coming days, but the cricket lovers and experts felt that pitch is always an vital and very sensitive issue for a cricket match and if ACA officials don’t give proper attention in those areas they may invite big trouble in future. They also felt that time has come to take full proof measures including introduction of new equipment to cover the ground in the coming days.

Meanwhile the Assam Cricket Association today said that the refund of the tickets would start from this week. The secretary of the Assam Cricket Association Devajit Saikia informed the media, “A counter will open at the ACA stadium, Barsapara to refund those tickets which was purchased off-line. The counter will remain open on January 11 and 12.”

On the other hand purchasers of online tickets will get their refund automatically in their account within the next 10 days.

On the otherhand, both teams left the city for Indore today for second T20I which will be held tomorrow.

Also Read: India vs Sri Lanka: Assam Cricket Association optimistic about full house on Sunday

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