Cuttack: Cricket lovers of Odisha will be deprived of witnessing the one-day international match between West Indies and India as the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) on Thursday expressed its inability to host the event.
Talking to mediapersons here, newly-elected OCA secretary Sanjay Behera said the repair of the damaged infrastructure on account of cyclone Fani will have to be done on a war footing. “It will be very difficult for the OCA to host the event,” he said.
“I will take up the matter with officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and seek financial assistance as the OCA does not have adequate funds to carry out the repair and maintenance. I will also request the Odisha government to provide assistance to OCA,” Behera added.
The BCCI, on June 4 this year had announced the tour schedule of the West Indies team in December. The host team is scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20i matches. Of the three ODIs, BCCI had asked the OCA to host one ODI at Barabati Stadium.