Barbati pitch ''tampered'', Asom Manager lodged protest

Cuttack, Jan 13 (UNI) Asom Ranji team manager Bishnu Ram Nunisa today lodged an official protest alleging that the Barbati pitch has been tampered to make it convenient to the Orissa players.

Orissa defeated Asom by seven wickets to enter into Ranji trophy plate group final on the concluding day of the Ranji trophy semi final match played at the Barbati stadium here today.

In a letter to the Board of Cricket Control in India(BCCI) Secretary,the Asom team Manager alleged that the pitch was found to be tampered and the grass from good length and short of length area were taken away.

There were also holes in the good length spot due to wear and tear filled up with clay to make it convenient for the Orissa players to bat as Asom were 100 for six, Mr. Nunisa alleged.

He said he brought the matter to the notice of the umpires and the match referee before the match commenced at 0845 hours this morning but no action was taken on their appeal.

The Asom team manager said his players played the last match under protest and urged the BCCI Secretary to take immediate action on their allegation.

Mr Nunisa also brought to the notice of BCCI observer Raju Mukharjee present on the field and lodged his protest alleging tampering of pitch overnight to help the Orissa batsmen in the match.

When contacted Orissa Cricket Association Secretary Arshibad Behere dubbed the allegation of Mr Nunisa as ''completely unfounded and rubbish''.

He ruled out any tampering of pitch as alleged by the Asom team manager.

UNI