CUTTACK 16-Feb-2013 291
Fortune favours the brave. This adage proved true for Odisha Cricket Association. Despite protest from political parties, Odisha Cricket Association took a major risk to play host to the ICC Women’s World Cup matches, involving Pakistan, at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack and DRIEMS ground in Tangi at a short notice. The move proved to be a master stroke by OCA, delivering immense benefits.
The smooth and successful hosting of the 11 matches, which drew world-wide attention, boosted the image of OCA, earning appreciation from the BCCI and the ICC, and promising help in many ways from the national and international body. On the occasion of the World Cup, Odisha women’s cricket team got to play two warm-up matches against Pakistan and created history by winning the second one. The win is sure to do a world of good to the confidence of the Odisha women cricketers and inspire more girls to take to the game.
Behind the success of the World Cup matches lies the help of the State Government, which provided fool-proof security, especially to the Pakistan team. The security concern for the Pak team was solved by keeping the team at the newly built OCA Club inside Barabati Stadium. The OCA Club was made ready almost overnight. The five-star hospitality provided by OCA made the Pakistan team mighty happy
As far as cricket was concerned, all the eight teams were seen action at the two Odisha venues. Though hosts India failed to qualify for the Super Six stage, it salvaged some pride by trouncing arch rivals Pakistan by six wickets in the seventh-place play-off match. India skipper Mithali Raj starred in the win with an unbeaten century.
