India-Pakistan World T20 game in Dharamsala to be high-scoring

Preparations are in full swing for the much awaited World Twenty20 match between arch rivals India and Pakistan at the scenic HPCA stadium at Dharamsala. And, to add more excitement to the eager fans, the ground’s curator has assured a batting friendly pitch which will ensure high scoring the game.

“For Twenty20s, you know how the wickets are. This one will also be the same; it will be a batsman-friendly wicket. The pitch is such that it will be a high-scoring game,” HPCA chief curator Sunil Chauhan told PTI today.

Chauhan further added that the outfield will be lush green and lightening quick.

“For 40 overs the wicket will behave as the same. But the outfield will be fast. We are preparing it right now by using sand and organic manure. We will start preparing the pitches on February 24,” said Chauhan.

“Currently, we are preparing the outfield. If you see the ground on February 28 or 29, you will see a lush green field unlike now,” added Chauhan, pointing towards the outfield where work was ongoing.

Pakistan is yet to confirm their presence in the tournament to be held in India but the HPCA is ready and fully prepared for the clash with two back to back match at the venue. The venue will also host Trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand on March 18 followed by the much-anticipated clash between the two Asian giants on March 19.

“The preparations are on war footing. That is what you expect with less than a month left for the qualifiers (to precede the main event),” Chauhan said.

“I am 100 percent sure it will be a full house for both the matches. Both are big games and everyone is excited to see the India-Pakistan match in Dharamsala,” concluded the curator.

Dharamsala will host six qualifying matches of the World Twenty20 from March 9 to 13 and two main tournament games. The stadium will also host a couple of women’s World T20 matches.

The interest in the matches in this hill station only keeps increasing, something that has forced HPCA to increase the capacity. HPCA spokesperson Sanjay Sharma said the earlier plan of adding 5000 seats won’t be possible before the World T20.

“We would be able to increase the capacity by 2000 seats before the World T20. The rest will be done after the competition,” said Sharma, adding the capacity will go up to 22,000.