World T20 semifinal: ICC sets Wednesday as deadline for Kotla clearance, DDCA approaches Mudgal

New Delhi: The ICC has given the DDCA time till 12 noon on Wednesday to get the required clearance to use the R P Mehra Block for the World Twenty20 semifinal scheduled to be held at the Feroz Shah Kotla on 30 March. DDCA treasurer Ravinder Manchanda said on Tuesday that the International Cricket Council has given the state association time till tomorrow to get permission for the R P Mehra Block, which has a seating capacity of around 2000. [caption id=“attachment_2657416” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of Ferozshah Kotla. Getty Images[/caption] “We have given our representation and plea to Justice Mudgal (DDCA observer) that the semifinal be held at Kotla and public spectators be allowed to sit in the old pavilion (R P Mehra Block). The ICC on the other hand has given us time till 12 noon tomorrow to sort out the issue,” Manchanda told PTI. Earlier in the day, the DDCA withdrew its petition seeking a direction to South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to issue the requisite certificate for the block, which is at the centre of a controversy. “We have given our representation to Justice Mudgal. As per the High Court directive we can approach Mudgal to seek a solution,” said Manchanda while adding that Bangalore has been kept as standby for the semifinal. The R P Mehra Block has not been used in the World T20 matches that has taken place at the Kotla so far. The ICC is concerned about the prospect of the matches being held at Kotla in front of empty stands, especially from the broadcast point of view. PTI