Kolkata: CAB President Jagmohan Dalmiya on Sunday ridiculed the dissident faction's claim that Eden Gardens would not get any international matches if he remained in power and said the city would host fixtures against Pakistan and Australia next year.
"We are going to host next season's matches against Pakistan and Australia," Dalmiya said at an annual prize distribution function of the CAB.
The Dalmiya faction in the CAB has contended that as per the BCCI rotation policy among staging venues, Eden Gardens would host a One-Dayer against Australia in September-October 2007, and a Test versus Pakistan in October-November next year.
Countering the dissidents' allegation that the standard of Bengal cricket had gone down, Dalmiya said the state team had finished runners-up in Ranji Trophy with a narrow defeat in the final against Uttar Pradesh. "We also did well in tournaments in junior level," he said.
While the opposition had accused the CAB of neglecting district cricket, Dalmiya said that district cricketers filled 60 to 70 per cent slots in the state teams at various levels.
"These results are not flukes. A lot of thinking and hard work are behind them," he said.
Exuding confidence of retaining his post in the July 30 CAB polls, Dalmiya said, "I promise when we assemble here next year for the prize distribution ceremony again, you will see more consistency of our teams at the junior levels."
Later, speaking at a media conference, Dalmiya described Mukherjee as a 'perfect gentleman' and a 'man of reason'.
Dalmiya said if the police chief had any suggestion with regard to the elections, he should feel free to contact him.
"If there is anything that can be done to dispel any doubt in the CAB election process, I am only a telephone call away. We're prepared to do anything that will enhance the image of the CAB," he added.
State PWD minister Kshitij Goswami, who was chief guest at the function, came out in support of the ruling group in the CAB.
"CAB is now a happy family. One has to acknowledge its contribution in the improvement that we have seen in Bengal cricket. We want to CAB to keep up the good work," he said, virtually opposing the Chief Minister's stand that Dalmiya should stay away from the election.
"CAB is an autonomous organisation. I want it to retain its independence. Build up resistance against those who are trying to displace Bengal cricket from its present position," he said.
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