'I believe it is some BCCI officials, who probably are disqualified, want to spread baseless rumours. So I put it again, Hyderabad is hosting the Test match.'
Hyderabad Cricket Association secretary John Manoj on Monday rubbished rumours that his association will not host the one-off Test match between India and Bangladesh scheduled in Hyderabad, from February 13.
"Let me set the record straight that HCA has never ever shown reluctance to host the Test. We are issuing tender notice for in stadia advertisement today. Also we are set to sign a deal with TCM (Twenty First Century Media) within a day or two. I don't know who spread all these rumours," HCA secretary Manoj said.
Asked about the fund crunch, Manoj said: "Every association needs clearance from Supreme Court and everyone has got allocated funds cleared by Apex Court. Did any of the Test matches stop?"
"And let me tell you we have organised for enough funds to host the Test match which we will procure through in stadia rights."
According to media reports, the Hyderabad Cricket Association has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India that they can no longer host the Test match against Bangladesh due to lack of funds.
That leaves the BCCI in a fix considering the HCA is scheduled to hold its election on January 17, and it’s likely that the board will wait for the new regime to take over in Hyderabad before taking a call. Narendra Goud, who is the acting president of the HCA, though denied having sent any such letter to Johri, said a report in the Indian Express on Monday.
However, Manoj went to the extent of saying that they in fact have made arrangements for Bangladesh to come a bit earlier as the visitors would like to play a three day warm-up game.
"In fact Bangladesh wants to come a week early for practice match. We have enough funds for that also. Therefore, I believe it is some BCCI officials, who probably are disqualified, want to spread baseless rumours. So I put it again, Hyderabad is hosting the Test match," Manoj signed off.
Bangladesh will play their first ever Test match in India, at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Uppal, from February 13.
