Hyderabad likely to host India-Bangladesh Test

The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has come forward and has also shown interest in hosting the lone Test match between India and Bangladesh at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium from February 9. Ratnakar Shetty, BCCI General Manager (Game Development), inspected the venue on Wednesday.

“Mr. Shetty expressed happiness today at the way things are on for hosting the Test match now. Though there were no specific suggestions from his side, he assured that the BCCI would respect the elected body which is in place and extend full cooperation in conducting the Test successfully,” John Manoj, HCA Secretary, informed Sportstar.

“The BCCI official was apparently worried whether they would be completed before February 3. We promised to take care of the subject and ensure that everything will be in place,” regarding the financial aide, John said the issue of release of funds from the BCCI was not discussed on Wednesday.

“I repeat that it is no more an issue since we have already signed an agreement for instadia rights which should take care of the expenditure for the Test,” he explained.

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The HCA secretary said Shetty did stress them about the BCCI’s efforts to encourage school students to be at the stadium to watch the Test match and suggested the HCA to take appropriate measures to see that there is an impressive attendance of students for the Test on all five playing days.

“We also informed that Gymkhana Ground and the facilities there would match the expectations of the visiting Bangladesh team if it were willing to have a three-day practice game against Hyderabad XI before the Test,” John pointed out.

“We explained to him that we are ready to host the game. The venue, which has good practice wickets and hosted many first-class matches successfully, should be good for the three-day game too,” the HCA Secretary said. “A final call on whether the three-day practice game will be on or not will be known by tomorrow,” he added.