New Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla stadium has been confirmed as a semi-final host of the World Twenty20 after receiving the final green light from municipal authorities, a senior cricket official said Wednesday. There had been growing fears that the first semi-final on March 30 would have to be shifted from the Indian capital over safety fears surrounding one of the stands.
But Chetham Chauhan, vice-president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association, told reporters at Wednesday's match between England and Afghanistan that the final clearances had now been obtained. "On behalf of DDCA, I am pleased to announce that we have received the permission from the required autjority, that is South Delhi Municipal Corporation, to use the entire block of RP Mehra (stand)," he said in a statement.
"With this last approval, I am happy to say on behalf of the association that we have received all the approvals.... With this permission the semi-final will be played in Delhi on March 30." Uncertainty over the stadium readiness to stage any matches in the tournament led to a delay in the release of tickets. Although authorities did grant permission for matches in the group stages to take place, it held back from approving the March 30 match. Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium is scheduled to stage the second semi-final on March 31 while Kolkata's Eden Gardens is to host the final on Sunday, April 3.