The ongoing ICC World Twenty20 tournament received a further blow as floodlights went off twice in the Super 10 clash between England and South Africa as the generator provided by the directors and selectors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board collapsed during the game in Chittagong on Saturday. OMNI Power, a company linked with by cricket operations chairman Akram Khan and selector Faruk Ahmed alongside one of his friends, failed to deliver when it mattered to disappoint the local organisers of the venue.
Some unscheduled breaks, power disruptions and confusion over the target have already characterised the fifth edition of the T20 event putting Bangladesh’s reputation as perfect hosts at stake.
Previously, Bangladesh received accolades for displaying a superlative performance while being co-hosts of the 2011 ICC World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka.
‘Akram and Faruk are involved the company which is providing generators for this venue,’ influential BCB director AZM Nasir told reporters.
‘The generator failed for a split second and that was enough to stop the game,’ added Nasir, trying to hide his disappointment through a wry smile in front of reporters at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Available technicians in front of the generator confirmed that it switched off as the circuit breaker tripped and usually in this case, it takes 10 minutes for the floodlights to gain back power.
It was learned that Bangla Cat, a renowned company known for power distribution, acquired the deal when the ICC provided the tender.
Later, some influential leaders of the BCB opted to give the opportunity to Akram and Faruk, who both happens to be relatives.
Following the first incident, the floodlights again got into trouble as it stopped working for the second time to present the hosts with another headache.
The game was halted for 10 minutes on each occasion.
It was also learned that the ICC paid $13,500 but the local generator companies are receiving only $3000 per matchday.
Power failure marked the beginning of the official warm-up games ahead of the tournament proper leaving the Bangladesh Cricket Board red-faced on March 12 during the practice game between Afghanistan and Netherlands.
The warm-up game was disrupted twice as the floodlights went off after an unexpected power failure at the ZACS which delayed Netherlands’ innings for at least 20 minutes before their reply to Afghanistan’s 150-7.
The Dutch were given a revised target of 122 runs in 15 overs, which, however, they failed to achieve.
Power disturbance materialised for the second time during the second round game between Sri Lanka and Netherlands on March 24. The game was stopped for 11 minutes owing to insufficient light which was duly criticised in some quarters.
Nasir added that after the second incident the generator was in use as per instruction of the ICC.
When contacted, Akram said that it was not his company.
‘This company is owned by one of my friends and I only requested the board if they could give the job to them,’ Akram told reporters.
‘I don’t know why my name is implicated into all these things,’ said Akram.
-With New Age input
