Ekana stadium gets BCCI’s nod to host two matches at a time

LUCKNOW: Lucknow’s Ekana International Cricket stadium would be hosting the knockout matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day from February 21 to 26 on two grounds.

The venue, which has already hosted over half-a-dozen domestic matches so far, would see the matches happening on both of its grounds, including the B ground just outside the main stadium simultaneously, especially when the quarterfinals would be played on February 21 and 22.

On Thursday, BCCI’s representative Taposh Chatterjee too visited the B ground and reportedly Okyed the preparations for the matches. “We have been given a go ahead by the BCCI officials,” managing director of Ekana Sports City, Udai Sinha said on Thursday.

Even after missing out the list of venues for the upcoming Indian Premier League, the only international stadium in the state capital, is set to host a few IPL matches.

“It’s 99% sure that IPL matches would be conducted in Lucknow,” an official of the UP Cricket Association said.

The two semi-finals are slated for February 24 and 25, whereas the final is due to be played on January 26. “Yes, we would be conducting two matches at a time in the quarterfinals as our B ground too is ready,” said Sinha.

He, however, confirmed that dressing room at the B ground is expected to be made operational in the second week of February itself.

Meanwhile, former runners-up Uttar Pradesh would begin their campaign in the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-dayers on February 5 with their opening league match of Group B against Delhi at Bilaspur. This will be followed by the matches against Maharashtra on February 7 and against Bengal on February 9 at the same venue.

Thereafter, Suresh Raina-led side would travel to Dharamsala to play matches against hosts Himachal Pradesh on February 11 and against Kerala on February 15. They would take on Tripura in their last league match on February 17 at Amtar.

ON THURSDAY, BCCI’S REPRESENTATIVE TAPOSH CHATTERJEE TOO VISITED THE B GROUND AND REPORTEDLY OKYED THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE MATCHES