BCCI to challenge ban on Kotla

The BCCI has launched an appeal, challenging the 12-month ban imposed by the ICC on the Feroz Shah Kotla. The Indian board is understood to have disputed the ICC's classification of the pitch used for the India-Sri Lanka ODI on December 27 last year as "dangerous" and "unfit". The match had been called off after 23.3 overs during which Sri Lankan players received several blows due to severely varying bounce.

According to the ICC rules, the home board is required to furnish its appeal within 24 hours of receiving the penalty. But even as the ICC made known its decision on Thursday, it announced that Michael Beloff QC has been appointed to hear the appeal. David Richardson, the ICC's general manager of cricket and chief referee Ranjan Madugalle reached this decision after an investigation. The matter will be dealt with in accordance with the ICC's Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

The ICC report, which followed after a high-level inquiry, meant the Kotla will be able to host matches during the 2011 World Cup. The BCCI has not scheduled any international matches at the venue till the end of 2010. However, the ban will not impact the Kotla's IPL III schedule, during which it is expected to host seven matches. The one-year ban is on international matches, and the IPL, being a domestic tournament, is out of the global governing body's purview.