ICC's decision unfavourable and unfortunate: Dalmiya

CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya on Sunday termed ICC's rejection of BCCI's appeal to reconsider its decision to take away India-England cricket World Cup match from Eden Gardens as "unfavourable and disappointing".

The experienced cricket administrator, however, said that the stadium will be cent per cent ready before the February 7 deadline, when an ICC inspection team travels to Kolkata.

"It was not a favourable decision. It is unfortunate. I still strongly feel that it should have come back to Eden. I don't know why they have taken this decision. I am still hopeful that we should get the match," Dalmiya said.

The ICC on Sunday formally conveyed to the BCCI about its inability to hold the India vs England World Cup match at the Eden Gardens on February 27 and the BCCI recommended Bangalore as the alternate venue for the match.

The historic 100,000 capacity stadium lost the right to host the crucial tie after failing to meet the completion deadline for renovation work.

Asked about the delayed construction work, Dalmiya said, "Overnight we can't do magic. We had asked for February 7 deadline and if you come on that day, you will see the venue will be ready."

"On February 7, the venue will be 100 per cent ready. There will be an ICC inspection team visiting on February 7. We will show them that the venue is absolutely ready," he said.

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The BCCI, at the behest of the Cricket Association of Bengal, had appealed to the ICC to extend the completion deadline for the tie to February 7.

Even West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee threw his weight behind the cause. The lobbying for the Edens also saw Dalmiya calling on Union Finance Minister Pranab

Mukherjee. But all efforts went in vain with the ICC on Sunday rejecting BCCI's appeal.

Asked if there is any political vendetta behind the decision, Dalmiya said, "Please don't ask me this question at this point of time because I have three more matches to host.

I don't want to say something which will affect hosting the remaining matches.

"That is your individual opinion. I will get back to you on this after the World Cup is over. I am still hopeful that we should get the match," he added.

Asked why even after such rigorous political lobbying, it didn't help the cause, Dalmiya said, "No comments. I am not a political person."

Asked if he had spoken to ICC president Sharad Pawar after the decision, the Cricket Association of Bengal president didn't make any comment.

The India-England clash was to be the only match featuring the co-hosts at the venue and the other scheduled clashes mostly feature minnows.

South Africa-Ireland (March 15), Netherlands-Ireland (March 18) and Zimbabwe-Kenya (March 20) are the other games scheduled at the venue.