MCA says BCCI has assured them that Wankhede will host IPL-7 Qualifier II and final
Cheerleaders perform during the Mumbai Indians-Royal Challengers Banglore game at the Wankhede on Tuesday. Pic/Atul Kamble
Fans of the Indian Premier League in Mumbai can breathe easy. The qualifier followed by the final of IPL-7 will be played at the Wankhede Stadium and there are no changes to the itinerary.
Cheerleaders perform during the Mumbai Indians-Royal Challengers Banglore game at the Wankhede on Tuesday. Pic/Atul Kamble
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Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Joint Honorary Secretary Dr PV Shetty confirmed to mid-day yesterday that the final on June 1 and Qualifier II on May 30 will be played at the Wankhede.
When informed that IPL chairman Ranjib Biswal told a website that Qualifier II has been moved to Brabourne Stadium, Shetty said: "We have spoken to the BCCI interim president Shivlal Yadav and the secretary Sanjay Patel and they have confirmed to us that the Qualifier II and final will be played at the Wankhede Stadium."
Procedure followed
Ravi Savant, who is the vice-president of the MCA and BCCI, said: "One cannot move a match. There are certain rules and procedure which need to be followed. The Wankhede will host these two matches."
When Biswal was asked about the possibility of Qualifier I being moved from Chennai to Brabourne during an interaction on May 3, the IPL boss had said: "These are rumours. We have not taken any such decision."
Yesterday, reports emerged that IPL Qualifier II and the final may not be played at the Wankhede Stadium, following IPL Governing Council members' being denied parking space during Mumbai Indians versus Kings XI Punjab match on May 3.