'India will host the ICC KnockOut Tournament', AC Muthiah, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in Udhagamandalam on Thursday.

Expressing surprise at BCCI secretary JY Lele's statement in New Delhi yesterday that 'the BCCI is not necessarily keen in hosting the tournament', Muthiah clarified that 'there is no hitch in India hosting the tournament. The Union Sports Ministry has cleared it and Sports Minister Uma Bharti has extended all support for the success of the ICC KnockOut tournament', he said.

'We do not want to deny the best of opportunity for the cricket loving public of India in missing out on the chance to witness players from all Test playing countries of ICC in action' Muthiah told PTI.

It may be noted that Malcolm Gray, President, International Cricket Council, had on March 21 met the Union Ministers and officials concerned and he had been assured of all Governmental support to the tournament when hosted by India. The final decision on India hosting the 2002 ICC KnockOut tournament will be taken in London on June 15.

Asked to comment on India playing Pakistan in any future tournament, Muthiah said 'the Government's letter clarified that there is no hitch in these two countries competing in multilateral tournaments'.

Muthiah said the Government had clarified vide its letter on May 10 that 'India will continue to play Pakistan in multilateral tournaments at regular venues. Regarding bilateral contests between the countries, the Government after careful consideration has already decided that in the prevailing circumstances it would be inappropriate for the Indian team to participate in a two-nation cricket tournament against Pakistan'.

The BCCI chief said 'the Government has said that it has no objection to the Indian team playing in ICC KnockOut, World Cup and other ICC recognised tournaments despite the fact that certain matches in such tournaments may be played between India and Pakistan either in India or in Pakistan'.

Accordingly, the Government has considered all venues in Test playing countries and venues recognised by the ICC for one-day Internationals such as Kenya as regular venues.

As for India's participation in the coming Asia Cup to be hosted by Pakistan, Muthiah confirmed that India will take part in the tournament. However, the programme for the Asia Cup would be decided at the meeting of the Asian Cricket Council in Lahore on May 24, he said.

When drawn to comment on Lele's statement that he `was not aware when and where the decision would be taken on the new sponsor for the Indian team', Muthiah clarified that the Board has received offers for sponsorship approximately 45 per cent above the previous sponsorship of ITC and a decision would be taken by the BCCI Marketing Committee within two days. 'The players will benefit immensely by the additional revenues since 60 per cent of the sponsorship revenue goes to the players', he said.

© PTI