Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockout games moved from Indore due to hotel shortage: Report

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games to be moved to Pune. (Photo: PTI)

For logistical reasons, the BCCI has reportedly relocated the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockout stages from Indore to Pune.

According to a report in the Times of India, the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje and the Dr. DY Patil Academy pitch in Ambi, Pune, will now host the tournament's knockout stages, which were originally planned for December 12–18.

"We informed BCCI about a fortnight ago that we will not be able to stage the SMAT knockouts as there is a lack of hotel room availability here due to some global conference (of doctors) in Indore from Dec 9-12," the TOI report quoted Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association CEO Rohit Pandit as saying on Friday.

The T20 tournament's knockout stages were shifted to Pune at the MPCA's request, according to a BCCI official, the report added.

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It is anticipated that many of the nation's best players will compete.

The BCCI's domestic competitions may also be impacted by the IndiGo flight problem, which has caused the airline to cancel almost 1,000 flights and disrupt numerous additional domestic flights.

The league stage of the SMAT is currently being held by the BCCI in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Hyderabad.

"If the crisis continues, it could be a challenge to fly the eight participating teams, as well as the umpires and other officials to Pune for the SMAT knockouts. Also, the Women's Under-23 T20 Trophy in Ahmedabad and the Men's Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy are going on at the moment, for which the teams and officials (umpires and officials) need to travel constantly," the report quoted a source tracking developments, as saying.