KPL II final to be played tonight from 7.30 pm

The Allahabad High Court’s decision on the Ayodhya title suit issue which will be delivered on Thursday evening has forced the organisers to make one final rearrangement, with both the semifinals and the final to be gone through on Wednesday itself.

After it was learnt that Thursday would be verdict day, the organisers met with the franchise represensatives of the three teams that had already made the semifinals by then -- Shamanur Davangere Diamonds, Malnad Gladiators and Mangalore United -- as well as the other two teams in with a chance, Provident Bangalore and Belagavi Panthers, at 7.00 pm on Tuesday to decide the next course of action.

While there were a couple of dissenting voices from among the teams about having to play two matches in one day, KSCA officials pointed out that the domestic T20 tournament in England follows a similar pattern every year. Eventually, all parties involved came around to the conclusion that it was in everyone’s best interests to get the final over and done with on Wednesday itself.

Consequently, the first semifinal between the Diamonds and United will be played at 10.30 am, the second involving the Gladiators and Provident will start at 2.15 pm and the grand final is slated for a 7.30 pm start.

In a press release, Karnataka State Cricket Association CEO MP Ganesh also said tickets for the original dates would be valid on Wednesday, adding that entry to the public would be free of charge for the A (Gate 11), B (Gate 12), C (Gate 7) and H Stands (Gate 16).