‘Confident of securing Test status for Dharamsala’

BCCI joint secretary and Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) boss Anurag Thakur is confident about bringing Test cricket to the picturesque HPCA Stadium as he will push for ICC approval during the India-West Indies ODI scheduled to be held on October 17. ‘We have successfully hosted IPL and ODI matches and I am confident Dharamsala will host its first ever Test soon. The ICC needs to approve the venue for the longest format. Since it (ICC) gave a green light to ODIs here, I don’t see a reason why it will think otherwise on organisation of Test matches here,’ Thakur told PTI here on Sunday. Thakur said he has already discussed the prospect with his colleagues in the BCCI.

‘The BCCI’s response has been positive but as I said we can?t move forward without the ICC nod. I am pushing for an ICC inspection with the ODI next month. The match referee who will be here can also the inspect the venue,’ he said.