New Delhi uncertain as venue for Twenty20 semifinal match

  NEW DELHI — A World Twenty20 semifinal match may have to be moved to another venue after a court refused to intervene in a matter concerning the use of an important part of the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi. A stand which houses the media and broadcasters, as well as VIP seats, has only managed ad hoc clearances over the years because it is close to the Kotla Baoli heritage site. The Delhi High Court says it will not pass an order, referring the matter to a bench already hearing a related case. The Delhi and District Cricket Association approached the high court after retired judge Mukul Mudgal, who is supervising match preparations, recommended that tickets for the block should not be sold. The semifinal match is scheduled for March 30. Bangladesh seeks review of Taskin ban Bangladesh Monday sought a review of a ban on key paceman Taskin Ahmed from international cricket, said a senior official of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The International Cricket Council last week suspended Taskin and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny from bowling in international matches after an independent analysis found their bowling actions illegal. The bans came as a blow to Bangladesh's chances in the World Twenty20 after they lost to Pakistan by 55 runs in their opening match. The decisions also triggered days of protests in the cricket-crazy country with demonstrators calling the moves a conspiracy against Dhaka. "Our Board president has already spoken to the ICC chairman and chief executive officer over the matter," Bangladesh Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury told AFP. "They gave us some feedback and on the basis of that we have sought a review of Taskin's ban under the ICC regulations. We are trying to expedite the process of hearing," he said. Taskin and Arafat were the most successful Bangladesh bowlers against Pakistan, having claimed 2-32 and 2-34 respectively when others received a hammering at Eden Gardens in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata. Left-arm spinner Saklain Sajib and all-rounder Shuvagata Hom have been named as their replacements. Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza broke down to tears Sunday ahead of their match against Australia in Bangalore, saying that the ban on Taskin was an "injustice" to his side. "We want proper justice for Taskin," Mortaza told reporters in Bangalore. "We believe Taskin has a legal bowling action. We have laid down our observations to the BCB and we hope they would discuss the matter with the ICC." Scores of Bangladeshi cricket fans took to the streets of Dhaka Sunday and Monday to express their outrage at the ICC decisions. The demonstrators formed human chains as they marched along busy roads in the capital. "Shame on you ICC. Your action is illegal," one banner read Sunday as young fans rallied against the bans. — Agencies