In a surprising incident, the fourth T20 international cricket match between India and Australia scheduled for Dec 1 at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh stadium is facing an unexpected challenge.

NDTV reported that parts of the stadium are currently without electricity just hours before the crucial match.

The reason behind this unusual situation is an unpaid electricity bill dating back to 2009, amounting to a staggering Rs 3.16 crore.

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The stadium’s electricity connection was severed five years ago due to the outstanding bill, prompting the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association to secure a temporary connection, stated the report. 

However, this temporary arrangement only covers the spectators’ gallery and boxes, leaving the floodlights during the match reliant on generators.

Raipur Rural Circle in-charge, Ashok Khandelwal, revealed that the Cricket Association has applied to upgrade the temporary connection’s capacity from 200 KV to 1 thousand KV.

While the application has been approved, work on the upgrade is yet to commence.

The stadium’s electricity bill dilemma came to light in 2018 when athletes participating in a half-marathon discovered a lack of electricity supply.

Responsibility for the unpaid power bill has become a point of contention between the Public Works Department (PWD), responsible for stadium maintenance, and the Sports Department, handling remaining expenses.

Multiple notice, No action 

Despite receiving multiple notices from the electricity company, neither the PWD nor the Sports Department has made any payments. Since the power connection was cut in 2018, the stadium has hosted three international cricket matches, relying on generators for electricity during significant events.

Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh media coordinator, Tarunesh Singh Parihar, expressed scepticism about hosting future international matches due to the persistent issue.

He highlighted the use of generators as an alternative arrangement for significant matches, emphasising the uncertainty surrounding the outstanding electricity bill for stadium lights.

The wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan was fined for wearing a Palestinian flag on his bat during a recent domestic Twenty20 competition, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reversed the decision on Tuesday, DAWN reported.

They said, imposition of the fine had sparked social media criticism, with the PCB facing backlash for what was perceived as an unjust action against the cricketer.

Khan — who represented Karachi Whites during the match — was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for being found guilty of committing a level-I offence during his side’s National T20 Cup 2023-24 match against Lahore Blues at National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Sunday.

Khan adorned his bat with a Palestinian flag during the match, contravening the rules that prohibit the endorsement of any such cause unless approved beforehand.

However, the PCB in a statement cited by DAWN said: “Azam Khan’s 50pc fine imposed by match officials has been reviewed and waived off by the PCB.”

The cricketer was found to have violated Article 2.4 of the PCB Code of Conduct For Players and Players Support Personnel for repeated failure to comply with the instruction or directive of an umpire during the match, the board said in the statement.

It also added that “players and team officials are not permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey personal messages on their equipment unless approved in advance by both player or team official’s cricket association and PCB Cricket Operations Department.”

Imad Wasim, the Pakistani all-rounder, has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket via social media. During his career, he featured in 55 ODIs and 66 T20Is for Pakistan, contributing as a left-arm spinner and a batsman in the lower order. His last appearance for Pakistan was in April during a T20I against New Zealand.

“In recent days I have been doing a lot of thinking about my international career and I have come to the conclusion that now is the right time for me to announce my retirement from international cricket,” Imad wrote on X. “I would like to thank the PCB for all their support over the years – it has truly been an honour to represent Pakistan.

“Each of my 121 appearances across the ODI and T20I formats was a dream come true. It’s an exciting time for Pakistan cricket going forwards with new coaches and leadership incoming. I wish all involved every success and I look forward to watching the team excel.

“Thank you to the Pakistan fans for always supporting me with such passion. A final thank you to my family and friends who have been so important in helping me achieve at the highest level. I now look forward to focussing on the next stage of my playing career away from the international stage.”