Mumbai team’s departure to Oman delayed

Shams Mulani. Pic/Suresh Karkera

The senior Mumbai team's departure to Oman has been delayed due to issues related to visas of players and support staff.

The Shams Mulani-led team were to leave today, but there could be a one-day delay, mid-day has learnt. An official on Wednesday said: "The visas have not been issued, so the departure will be delayed by a day. We are expecting the visas to be issued on Thursday. Once the visas are issued, the team will leave the next day."

Mumbai, who are set to play three one-dayers and as many T20s, were to return on September 3, but the tour could end later than scheduled, indicated the official.

Shivam Dube opts out

India all-rounder Shivam Dube, who was scheduled to travel with the Mumbai team, has withdrawn after suffering from a lower back spasm.

U-19 boot camp on hold

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has kept on hold the boot camp for U-19 boys to be held at Saphale from August 19 to 24 for a group of 25 players. The camp for the second batch of 25 players was to be held from August 24 to 29.

Objections to the boot camp have been raised by Apex Council members, who questioned the need to hold the camp in Saphale when the MCA boasts of a state-of-the-art indoor academy at their BKC club.

The MCA was to be charged Rs 5 lakh per group, but later on, it was decided that there would be no payment involved.

Apex members object

In another development, eight Apex Council members have signed a requisition to hold an urgent meeting over various functioning of the association. It is understood that the eight members will meet MCA president Dr Vijay Patil today to iron out their issues.

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