Greater Noida stadium to hold Afghanistan vs Ireland cricket match

ODI and T20 cricket matches between Afghanistan and Ireland will start at the Greater Noida stadium from March 8

One day international (ODI) and T20 cricket matches between Afghanistan and Ireland will start at the Greater Noida stadium from Wednesday morning.

ODI and T20 cricket matches between Afghanistan and Ireland will start at the Greater Noida stadium on March 8. (Sunil Ghosh/HT File Photo)

The two teams have already been practising in Greater Noida. The Irish team had reached the city on March 5 and the team from Afghanistan has been camping here since February 28.

“Afghanistan and Ireland will play three T20 and five ODI matches at the Greater Noida stadium. The first T20 cricket match will begin at 2pm on March 8 . Visitors can book tickets from Book My Show or at the counters at gate number 4 of the stadium. We have made adequate arrangements so that the two teams do not face any inconvenience,” said Rajiv Tyagi, general manager of the Greater Noida authority, which has built the Vijay Singh Pathik sports facility that houses the cricket stadium.

Ticket prices for the matches are Rs200 if one wants to sit on the ground, and for Rs400 one will get a chair and a meal. Tickets to the VVIP gallery are priced at Rs2500.

The chief executive officer of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah, is also expected to attend the match.

The sports facility, spread over 39 acres, is also equipped with a bowling alley, Olympic-size swimming pool, badminton court, skating rink, football ground, tennis complex, an athletic pavilion and an indoor stadium with a seating capacity of 6,500.

The Greater Noida stadium has in recent times hosted national and international cricket matches.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had in 2016 organised the Intercontinental Cup series from April 10-13 at the stadium. Teams from Afghanistan, Namibia and Nepal participated in the tournament.

Last December, the stadium had won ICC certification to be qualified for international cricket matches, including ODIs and test matches, after an inspection by ICC match referee Jeff Crowe and other officials.

“We have arranged adequate security and deployed our staff to ensure peaceful cricket matches for all T-20 and ODI matches,” said Tyagi.