HPCA to host 3rd int’l match

The picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium in this town is all set to host its third international cricket match - and its first Twenty20 - later in the year, an official said on Thursday.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has approved the HPCA stadium for hosting one Twenty20 match between South Africa and India, HPCA press secretary Mohit Sood told IANS.

He said the exact dates for the tournament are yet to be announced. Both the teams will be playing four Tests, five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 likely in October or November. HPCA officials said the stadium’s popularity soared with the hosting of nine Indian Premier League (IPL) matches and two India-England and India-West Indies ODIs. The stadium, 250 km from state capital Shimla, has a 20,400-seating capacity, besides separate practice areas, a club lounge, restaurant, bar and banquet hall.