Dharamshala stadium to be on international cricket map soon

Una, Aug 19 (UNI) With international match refree Allen Hurst set to visit the Dharamshala cricket stadium, the chances are bright that it would soon be on the International cricket map, Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) President Anurag Thakur said here today.

International Cricket Committee (ICC) had deputed match refree Allen Hurst to visit the stadium in September this year and submit his report on the status of the venue, Mr Thakur told media persons here today.

Mr Thakur said even the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was giving top priority to the development of the Dharamshala cricket staduim.

The BCCI had fixed an important four-day match between India-A and South Africa-A at Dharamshala from September 19 to 22, which will decide the Indian test and one day teams for the Australian tour to India, he said.

The HPCA President said a sum of Rs six crore was being spent on the Dharamshala cricket stadium during the current financial year.

The capacity of the stadium is being increased from the present 12,000 to 20,000, and 5,500 fixed chairs would be put in place before the September 19 match, he said.

Mr Thakur said the general house also decided that HPCA should have cricket grounds in all districts of the state, for which state Cricket Board was planning to purchase land or seek land from the government.

The HPCA would spend a sum of Rs one crore initially on all such grounds, he added.

UNI