Buddhadeb pads up, bats for Eden

KOLKATA - West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Saturday urged International Cricket Council (ICC) president Sharad Pawar to reconsider the decision of shifting the venue of India-England World Cup match from Eden Gardens.

The ICC struck off Eden Gardens as the venue of the important India-England match following an adverse report from its inspection team that visited Kolkata and four other venues earlier this week to review their readiness for the cricket World Cup being hosted jointly by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka from Feb 19 to April 2.

“I had a conversation with the chief minister. He had called up Sharad Pawar Saturday evening and told him to reconsider the decision and give a second thought, keeping in mind the emotions of the cricket loving people of Kolkata,” state urban development minister Ashok Bhattachrajee told a private Bengali News Channel.

The minister said that Pawar has assured the chief minister that he will reconsider it and let him know whatever is decided on this issue.

“But after some time Pawar again called up the chief minister and told him that he is ready to give CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) time till Feb 7 so that they can complete the pending work. If they can do so then he will try so that the match returns to Eden Gardens,” Bhattachrajee added.