BCCI to no longer host matches in Greater Noida Stadium

The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex has been stripped of its status to hold BCCI-conducted matches. The Stadium, located in Greater Noida, had hosted the last edition of the Duleep Trophy under floodlights apart from a few Ranji Trophy fixtures.

The anti-corruption unit of the Board learnt that the Stadium had been leased for staging a private league. According to SportStar, the suspicious nature of the league along with the Board’s disapproval immediately went on to take the decision of not considering it as one of its venues from this season.

Afghan’s fortress

The Stadium had also been adopted by Afghanistan as its home ground and the team had played a one-day series against Ireland early this year. Afghanistan cricket team had shifted its home base from Sharjah to this stadium in order to play their matches and practice after an MoU was signed on Thursday in this regard.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding with BCCI and Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) would be able to utilise the facilities of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, which had successfully hosted a Ranji Trophy game between Uttar Pradesh and Baroda.

Back then, Anurag Thakur, former BCCI President had emphasized on strengthening the Indo-Afghan ties through the MoU. He said, “Afghanistan have done well in the last two years and to qualify in the World Cup, it showcases their hard-work. And they will play in India just like India played a big hand in Bangladesh becoming a full member, India will also play a big part in Afghanistan becoming a full member as well.”

Last year, Afghanistan had played a four-day game against Namibia too at the venue. As it is an ICC-approved ground, Afghanistan can continue to play international matches at the venue. It is up to the Afghanistan Cricket Board if wants to continue using the ground as its ‘home’ base.