Controversies mar one of Mumbai’s oldest tourney

Controversies continued to bother Mumbai’s maidan cricket. A series of goof-ups were witnessed in the 65th Salarjung Invitational Cricket Tournament, one of the oldest in the city.

The quarterfinal match between Muslim Sports Club and Police Gymkhana was marred by controversies due to umpiring blunders. Those blunders forced the organisers to hold a rematch on April 14.

In the match at Police Gymkhana on March 31, Muslim SC, chasing a target of 330 in 43 overs, made 315. However, due to a delayed start, the umpires awarded penalty runs to both the teams. As a result, the match ended in a tie. Muslim SC, however, protested and asked for a two-over penalty instead of one that could have seen them clinch the tie.

The umpires did not pay heed and went for a toss to seek an outcome. Police won through the toss of the coin and made it to the semifinals. However, due to protest by the Muslim SC, the matter was referred to the organisers, who scheduled a rematch.

The rematch was slated for April 7, but due to miscommunication, it could not be held. Armaan Malik, the tournament’s organising secretary, admitted the goof-ups by the umpires. “The umpires ruined the match. Due to the lack of communication between the umpires and the players, the game suffered. However, we have rescheduled the match for the coming weekend,” Malik told DNA.

On the rematch that was supposed to be held at Islam Gym last Saturday but didn’t take place, Malik said: “Due to the IPL game on Friday (April 6) and communication being only verbal, things weren’t arranged. Hence, we have requested the MCA in writing for a rematch on April 14.” MCA’s tournament secretary Dawood Patel did not comment on the issue.