MCA meeting to decide on venue of IPL final

Mumbai, May 13 (PTI) The Mumbai Cricket Association will decide tomorrow on hosting the June 1 Indian Premier League final match at the Wankhede Stadium here.

The association's managing committee will hold an emergency meeting for this purpose and it will be chaired by MCA and Cricket Board President Sharad Pawar, MCA sources said.

The meeting follows opposition to the decision taken to shift the summit clash from Wankhede Stadium to the newly constructed D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

IPL authorities have cited absence of a proper place for having a TV control room for live telecast of the June 1 showpiece tie of the Twenty20 event.

But according to MCA sources, the logic does not hold water as the same facilities would be in vogue for the matches preceding the final to be played at the Wankhede Stadium.

That long list of ties to be played at the Wankhede includes two semi finals on May 30 and 31 after the conclusion of league ties to be held tomorrow, May 16 and May 21.

Sources also said that the shamiana, behind the Garware club house block that houses the restaurant temporarily as the whole venue is undergoing renovation, will be earmarked for the exclusive use of TV crew during the IPL match days.

The decision followed after the restaurant contractor agreed to shift it to another place inside the premises.

"This could be the argument that can be put forth by the managing committee members to Sharad Pawar for keeping the final at the Wankhede Stadium (the original venue)," they said, adding that ultimately Pawar would decide on the issue.

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