Ranji summit clash at Wankhede, WWC matches shifted

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shifted the Women's World Cup matches out of the city's foremost cricket stadium, the Wankhede, in order to accommodate the Ranji Trophy final to be played between Mumbai and Saurashtra from January 26-30.

The Wankhede stadium was scheduled to host the opening match of the event on January 31 as well as six other matches and two practice games. All the seven matches have now been shifted to Cricket Club of India's (CCI) Brabourne Stadium, while the Police Gymkhana will host the two warm-up games.

It is learnt that WWC tournament director Suru Nayak will propose the new schedule to the ICC on Monday evening. When contacted, an ICC spokesperson said, "A new schedule will be announced shortly."

The move, which comes after the MCA's request to have the Ranji final at the Wankhede, is the second change of venues after the shifting of Pakistan's matches to Cuttack following the anti-Pakistan protests in Mumbai.

While the BCCI refused to react on the venue change, MCA joint-secretary PV Shetty said: "Our president had already informed the BCCI that if Mumbai reaches the Ranji Trophy final, it should be held at the Wankhede Stadium. It's our national championship after all. So we had asked the BCCI that it would be better if all Women's World Cup matches were shifted," Shetty said.

Meanwhile, Nayak will be travelling to Cuttack on Tuesday to inspect the arrangements made by Odisha Cricket Association. The WWC will be played from January 31 to February 17.

Zaheer unlikely

Mumbai will miss the services of Zaheer Khan, who is yet to recover from his calf strain. "Training and injury rehab going well at NCA, Gonna be a while though before I get back bowling," Zaheer tweeted on Monday.

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