Khansahab-XI cricket team of Tehsil Khansahab of Budgam has alleged favoritism by organizers during its match of J&K Premier League (JKPL) Budgam leg played at Narbal cricket ground on Sunday.
Delegation of team members on Sunday told the Greater Kashmir that match officials made certain decisions and floated rules to favor home team.
“We went to play our match of JKPLK organized by J&K Cricket Association. But nothing worked in our favor as officials and hosts were there to help their home team. As per JKCA rule every team should have U-16, 19 and 23 age group players. While ours was checked thoroughly, officials allowed opposite team without any scrutiny and they had none in this age group,” said the players.
“The match was about to start at 9 a.m, while our team was present at the exact time, home team came late. Not a single over penalty was imposed on them. Even there were certain decisions like no balls that hinted towards clear favoritism. We raised objections but none was accepted,” they added.
When contacted, JKCA official in-charge of conducting matches in Narbal refuted all the charges and said the team was making excuses after suffering defeat.
“We are organizers and we go by umpires’ decision in the middle. Certain decisions went in Khansahab favor and they didn’t raise objections and when a decision went against them they are objecting. As far age bar issue was raised, both team captains got the list of opposite teams and they checked it properly and then signed that,” he said.
“There was still option available for the team if they thought there is something against them. We asked them to file objection after submitting requisite fee. They didn’t and we are helpless in this situation to help them. We don’t have facility of videos to check anything and have to go by the word of umpires,” he added.