Sourav Ganguly
Photo Credit: Getty Images.

In March 2020, BCCI was expecting to inaugurate Motera Stadium with the match between Asia XI vs World XI. But it will not be possible due to delay in the construction of the ground.

Now, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will host two-match T20I series between the star players of Asia XI and World XI in March. It was expected that BCCI will host one of the matches at the Sardar Patel Stadium which is concurrently under construction.

However, BCB CEO, Nizamuddin Chowdhury opined that the construction of the stadium will not be completed in time to host one of the matches. So, now, Bangladesh will host both the games

“A match was expected to be played in India as they were expected to inaugurate a big stadium but now, they [BCCI] are not ready to do it and both matches will be hosted here,” Chowdhury told reporters.

BCB, Sourav Ganguly, BCCI, Asia XI vs World XI, Motera Stadium
Sourav Ganguly (Image Credit: Google)

BCB is organising this particular series to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the late politician, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The two matches will be hosted on the 18th and 21st of the March, this year. There are also the reports that as many as five Indian cricketers will participate in the Asia XI squad.

Further adding, Chowdhury said that they are inviting cricket dignitaries to make the event grand.

“We are open to inviting everyone. We will definitely invite the high-ups of the cricket world, dignitaries who are in the ICC and other important positions. Also, we will try to bring cricketing legends of different eras. We will try to make all the necessary measurements to make the event colourful.

“We are communicating with almost everyone. As I said, we are contacting every player in our list. There are a few complications that we need to work on. There are some cases where there is a series starting during or right after the event. In those cases, we are working on how we can ensure their participation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Sardar Patel Stadium, which is popularly known as Motera Stadium, will be the largest cricket stadium in the world once it reopens.

The ODI between India and Sri Lanka on November 6, 2014, was the last international game at the Ahmedabad-based stadium.

After the renovation, the stadium’s capacity will increase to 1,10,000 from 53,000 spectators.

The new stadium will house two large seating tiers, each with approximately 50,000 general admission seat capacity. Recently, the International Cricket Council (ICC) also shared the picture of Ahmedabad’s under construction Motera Stadium.