PCB chief happy with Kotla

Delhi's bid to host the sixth one-day international of the India-Pakistan series got the backing of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan who said that he is expecting a thrilling contest between the arch-rivals at the Feroze Shah Kotla on April 17.

"Playing condition is fine here and so is the pitch. The outfield is as good as you find anywhere in the world. I am also told that some practice matches were held here. I am hoping for a good contest between India and Pakistan," Khan told reporters on Tuesday after his visit to the Kotla ground which is all set to host the sixth and final one-dayer between the two teams.

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With Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf scheduled to witness the match, Shaharyar, who arrived from Bangalore this morning, assessed the arrangements in the stadium for about half an hour.

"One point for my visit was to see what sitting arrangements have been made for our President [Musharraf]. I saw two to three places and am quite satisfied. The final decision would be taken by the Indian Cricket Board taking into account the security aspect."

"I hope the match to be successful one. Because our President and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be here. This is very welcoming that both the leaders will see the match," he said.

The only disappointment for the PCB chief was that the stadium would not be a full-capacity one.

"The stadium has a capacity of 50,000. But I know the entire stadium would not be complete by April 17. So it will have around 30,000 spectators for the match. With so many people keen to watch, it would be a little disappointing," he said.

On the controversies surrounding staging of the match, Shaharyar said, "BCCI has been telling us that Delhi will host the game. As far as we are concerned Delhi will stage it. I will go back and tell that the match will be played here."