‘No demand from ICC to shift IPL matches’

The Indian cricket board has categorically dismissed reports - published in a section of the media - that the ‘BCCI declined ICC’s request for changing the IPL schedule’ for April matches in Kolkata.

It is understood that in October 2015,  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee got in touch with BCCI officials assuring it of all assistance to hold future ICC meetings in Kolkata.

The Indian cricket board has categorically dismissed reports - published in a section of the media - that the ‘ BCCI declined ICC’s request for changing the IPL schedule ’ for April matches in Kolkata.

The ICC’s quarterly meeting was held in Dubai on February 8 and 9 where "no such request was made by the ICC. Reports carrying such articles are baseless and a work of fiction," a top BCCI functionary told Sportstar. The next quarterly meet will be held in Kolkata on April 26 and 27.

It is understood that in October 2015,  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee got in touch with BCCI officials assuring it of all assistance to hold future ICC meetings in Kolkata.

This was after some Shiv Sena workers had stormed the board office, protesting against a scheduled meeting between the then BCCI president Shashank Manohar and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials Shahryar Khan and Najam Sethi. The meeting did not take place at the BCCI headquarters.