Work on Kochi pitch has started: Nair

Work on preparing the pitch at the venue for the first ODI between India and Pakistan has started and is progressing satisfactorily.

Work on preparing the pitch at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, where the first One-Day International cricket match between India and Pakistan will be played on April 2, has started and was progressing satisfactorily, BCCI secretary SK Nair said on Tuesday.

HT Image

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Kerala Cricket Association, of which he is the president, Nair said that curator Kasturirangan and BCCI pitch inspection committee chairman Venkat Sundaram had visited the stadium sometime back.

As per their directions, work on the pitch was progressing, he said.

The preliminary work was expected to be completed within three weeks, Nair said, adding that Venkat Sundaram would soon pay another visit.

The Pakistan team is expected to reach Kochi on March 31, he said, adding that the Indian team was also expected on the same date after a short break, after the Test matches.

He said that construction of a new media room would begin soon.

"It is the BCCI policy to give the best of facilities to the media, whenever there is an international match", he said.

Ticket sales would be arranged only through banks, he said adding that the rates and 'all other things' would be decided by the organising committee at their next meeting.

Nair said that closed circuit cameras would be provided in the players dressing rooms, at the corridors and places where the players normally spend their time.

"ICC regulations in this regard will be meticulously followed", he said.

Nair said necessary improvements at the stadium, including repair of damaged chairs and to the dressing room would be done at the earliest.

Prior to this match, Kochi had hosted three one-dayers against Australia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.