World T20: ICC impressed with HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala

Dharamsala, Dec 15: A team of International Cricket Council's (ICC) experts were today left impressed with the facilities available in Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association's (HPCA) International stadium here, which will be hosting 10 matches including much anticipated India-Pakistan fixture in World Twenty20 2016 next year.

World T20 schedule

The 17-member team lead by the ICC's head of events, Chris Tetley, and Tournament Director of the Board of Control for Cricket in India MV Sridhar, was on its last venue trip of the eight centres selected for the forthcoming World T20 in March 2016.

This team carried out inspection of the facilities available at HPCA Stadium and Pavillion Hotel. "We have carried out inspection from all aspects and are happy with the facilities here," said Tetley in a press conference held in the afternoon.

The ICC official said, "Dharamshala has already hosted a number of international matches and was a fantastic venue. Given the India-Pakistan match, which will be held here on March 19, we had have detailed discussions on security arrangements with host organisation."

Tetley added that the ICC takes security aspect seriously and plan will remain same for all the matches to be held here.

Meanwhile, BCCI official Shridhar said the Dharamshala stadium was best among the eight venues, which will host the event. "Practice facilities and the indoor practice area are of world class level and the biggest advantage at Dharamshala is the practice area for four teams at a time, Which shall help organising many matches in short time. Hospitality facilities here are unmatched and no other venue has so much of options," said Shridhar.

He further said, "practice area for four teams and will be useful during the group stage when two matches will be held on a day. In fact we have asked the other venues to create more practice facilities".

The inspection team pointed out no shortcomings, while few additional requirements will be fulfilled as the event is three months away.

"Seating capacity is being increased while special enclosures will be created for differently-abled persons," said Shridhar, adding that the focus would be on providing best of the facilities to the every spectator in the stands.

On the reservation shown by kin of Kargil war martyrs against holding India-Pakistan match at Dharamsala, Shridhar said it was an ICC event and not a bilateral series.

"People must not see it as a business event. Things would have been different it was a bilateral series," said Shridhar.

PTI