India Not To Host Asia XI vs World XI Clash In March, Bangladesh To Host Both T20Is

The Indian fans hopes of seeing an Asia XI side taking on World XI side at the Sardar Patel Stadium has ended in a disappointing manner. The BCCI was looking forward to inaugurating the Stadium with the marquee clash between the two star-studded sides.

The Sardar Patel Stadium, which is popularly known as Motera Stadium, has not held an international game since 2014. The ODI between India and Sri Lanka on November 6, 2014 was the last international game at the Ahmedabad-based stadium. The stadium will be the largest cricket stadium in the world once it reopens.

The old structure of the stadium was pulled down in 2015. Built at a cost of Rs 700 crore, the new structure has a seating capacity of 1,10,000 spectators instead of the old seating capacity of 53,000. The new stadium will house two large seating tiers, each with approximately 50,000 general admission seat capacity.

No Asia XI-World XI clash in India:

Meanwhile, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has decided against hosting the game as the stadium is unlikely to be completed within time. The match was set to be held in March this year but the building of the stadium is likely to take longer to be completed. India were set to host one of the matches between Asia XI and World XI, organised by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

According to BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the construction of the stadium will not be completed in time to host one of the matches. Bangladesh will now host both the games on March 18 and 22.

“A match was expected to be played in India as they were expected to inaugurate a big stadium but now, they [BCCI] are not ready to do it and both matches will be hosted here,” Chowdhury told reporters.

He further said that the BCB is looking forward to invite the big names from the game in order to make the occasion a grand affair. Not only the current players, the BCB is also hoping to invite ICC dignitaries and former cricketers.

“We are open to inviting everyone. We will definitely invite the high-ups of the cricket world, dignitaries who are in the ICC and other important positions. Also, we will try to bring cricketing legends of different eras. We will try to make all the necessary measurements to make the event colourful.

“We are communicating with almost everyone. As I said, we are contacting every player in our list. There are a few complications that we need to work on. There are some cases where there is a series starting during or right after the event. In those cases, we are working on how we can ensure their participation,” he said.

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