Parsee GYM-MIG game called off after physical altercation

MUMBAI: In an unsavoury incident, the officiating umpires were forced to call off the Mumbai Cricket Association’s President Cup T20 match between Parsee Gymkhana and MIG Cricket Club on Saturday after some players got involved in physical altercation.

In their report submitted to the MCA by umpires Sanjay Patil and Rajan Kasbe, in the game played at Parsee Gymkhana, some outsiders also roughed up MIG captain Ankush Jaiswal midway during the second innings.

Policemen were called in to control things before the decision was taken to call off the pre-quarterfinal game.

The report mentioned that the trigger for the ugly flare-up happened on the last ball of the 11th over of MIG’S innings when Vedant Murkar was adjudged caught and bowled. Non-striker Pragnesh Kanpillewar told his batting partner to wait and said the ball had bounced before the catch was taken.

It led to Parsee Gym coach Vinayak Mane shouting from outside in Marathi, “let the umpires do their job, you don’t officiate”. Arguments between members of the two teams outside the boundary followed.

Kanpillavar fell on the first ball of the next over (11.1) and while passing him, Parsee Gym’s extra player Tanmay Buram came on to serve water and passed comments to the batter. Seeing this, MIG captain Jaiswal rushed onto the field and physically intimidated Buram, said the report. Parsee Gym’s coaching staff also got involved in a heated exchange with Jaiswal before the situation was brought under control and the game resumed.

During Parsee Gym’s chase, with Jaiswal bowling the fifth over, some outsiders barged on to the field of play and threatened to hit the MIG captain with a bamboo stick. They removed the stumps and ordered to stop the match. Police had to be called in to bring the situation under control.

After consultations with Surendra Nagvekar, member of MCA’S umpiring committee, the decision was taken to call off the match.

When HT contacted MCA’S managing committee member and tournament co-ordinator, Abhay Hadap, he said he was yet to receive the umpires’ report: “We are waiting for the umpires’ report (which has to be submitted within 48 hours). We can’t depend on oral stories, we will wait for official complaints (of the teams). Based on the report, action will be taken. We have to take the decision this week.”

As per procedure, if there’s a complaint from the teams, the MCA will call for a hearing. If there’s an umpires’ report, then MCA’S disciplinary committee will take action if needed, added Hadap.