Bengal assembly elections may clash with WT20 final

The Cricket Association of Bengal will write to the state government to schedule the upcoming state polls in such a manner that the World Twenty20 final scheduled at Eden Gardens on April 3 is not “affected”.As per the schedule released by the BCCI, Eden Gardens will host the final of the World T20, which is scheduled from March 11-April 3, 2016.

However an apprehension was raised by the Trinamool MP, Sultan Ahmed, in the CAB’s 84th AGM on Monday and the Mohammedan Sporting president requested president Jagmohan Dalmiya to put the matter across to the Election Commission through Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is hopeful that the matter would be sorted out smoothly.

“There's election during that time. It’s the duty of CAB to look after it. We have some experience people on board and I’m sure everything will be held smoothly,” the CAB joint secretary said.Eden missed out on hosting even a single India game during the ICC World Cup 2011 and CAB does not want to risk this time as the hallowed stadium will host a final of a global event for the first time since 1987.

Giving credit to BCCI and CAB president Dalmiya for being instrumental in bringing the final to Eden, CAB's another joint secretary Subir Ganguly said they would not leave any stone unturned. “We will make all the best possible arrangements so that it's held as per schedule.”

Dalmiya continues as CAB prezBCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya extended his reign at the Cricket Association of Bengal for an eighth consecutive term as his panel continued in power without any opposition in a lacklustre 84th AGM at Eden Gardens here on Monday. The 75-year-old, who is indisposed and is keeping away from interacting with the media of late, has been at the CAB’s helm since 1993 barring a 19-month hiatus after his expulsion by the Sharad Pawar-ruled BCCI on funds embezzlement charges in December 2006.However much water has flown under the bridge since then as he has returned to head the BCCI in their last AGM.