The Feroz Shah Kalta Ground in Delhi confirmed as World T20 semi-final venue

Barnaby Read 16:01 23/03/2016
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  • Afghanistan and England fans at the Feroz Shah Kalta Ground in Delhi.

    CHANDIGARH, India – The Feroz Shah Kalta Ground in Delhi will host the first World T20 semi-final on March 30, ending days of dispute over its suitability.

    A BCCI official close to discussions between the ICC, BCCI, Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) and Delhi High Court told Sport360 that the match will go ahead as planned.

    Delhi’s position as a venue was thrown into doubt over its RP Mehra Block, a part of the ground branded “illegal” by the Archaeological Survey of India.

    It has resulted in no tickets being sold in that part of the stadium and Justice Mukul Mudga – appointed by the Delhi High Court to operate on behalf of the DDCA – refusing the ICC permission to put up branding across the stand in question.

    The DDCA had originally failed in attempts to gain approval from the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to allow fans into the old club house end of the ground.

    Other venues were discussed as semi-final alternatives but after a day of negotiations in the background of the Afghanistan vs England match being played in Delhi, the DDCA was finally given clearance.

    “I am going to give the permission subject to the DDCA signing an undertaking about the conduct of the match. It is now routine,” Justice Mudgal was quoted as saying.

    Wednesday’s game has reportedly only seen an attendance of 2,859 with fans around the stadium frustrated at not being able to purchase tickets on the door, the latest in a frustrating series of events that has kept supporters out of stadiums.

    This was also the second time a match faced a possible move after the security concerns that kept Pakistan and India from playing in Dharamsala.

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