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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Play in Ahmedabad or cancel series: GCA

Play in Ahmedabad or cancel series: GCA

Source: PTI
February 07, 2005 16:50 IST
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The Gujarat Cricket Academy says the Pakistan cricket team should either agree to play in Ahmedabad or call off its upcoming tour of India.

"I will raise this issue in the next BCCI meeting on February 16. Our message [to the PCB] is clear: either play in Ahmedabad or call off the entire series," GCA president Narhari Amin said on Monday.

Amin said the GCA is yet to receive official intimation about the Pakistan Cricket Board rejecting Ahmedabad as a Test or one-day venue for the much-awaited series between the arch-rivals.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had on Sunday cited "political reasons" for not wanting to play in Ahmedabad.

"What kind of political reasons are they citing. If it is the post-Godhra communal riots that he [Shaharyar] is indicating, then I would like to know as to after how many years will they pardon Gujarat?" Amin asked.

Asked if the Pakistan government could have a 'personal score' to settle with Gujarat, as its chief minister, Narendra Modi, had often criticised General Pervez Musharraf during his election campaign, Amin replied: "Yes, Modi could be the reason behind their decision as there does not seem to be another reason."

The GCA, however, will continue with its preparations for the series till it gets an official word from the BCCI, he added.

The GCA, along with senior police officers had shown all facilities at the Sardar Patel ground, in Motera, and all related arrangements for players to Zakhir Khan and Sohail Khan, the two-member security assessment team of PCB, on January 29.

Defeat preventing Pakistan: Modi

Meanwhile, chief minister Modi said the prospect of defeat is preventing Pakistan from accepting Ahmedabad as a venue.

"Recently a galaxy of doctors from Pakistan attended a medical conference in Gujarat, while a Pakistani team participated in the Special Olympics held in the state. But what prevents the Pakistan cricket team from visiting Ahmedabad is the fear of a humiliating defeat at the hands of our cricketers," he said, addressing an election meeting in support of BJP's Jharkhand unit president Raghuvar Das.

Modi added: "We are anxiously waiting when [Pakistan president General Pervez Musharaf] will announce a halt to the game of terrorism in Kashmir."

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