Dharmasala —April 13 was a historic moment in the history of the State in general and cricket in particular, when a cricket match was played between Indian members of Parliament and their counterparts from United Kingdom (UK).
Constructed at a cost of Rs 60 crore with sitting capacity of 20,000, the stadium was dedicated to the people in year 2010. Credit goes to the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association for having constructed such a cricket stadium at Dharamsala surrounded by lofty Dhauladhar snow ranges. It has also received allocates from none other than from ICC and it was decided to hold ODI between England and Indian cricket team in October next here.
Association who despite all odds and challenges had never looked back to construct the Stadium at Dharamshala which is today one of the 17 selected Stadium in the Country selected by the Indian Cricket Board to hold National and International matches.
Earlier, it has hosted IPL matches between Pakistan and India besides other matches. The comments of former Indian Cricket Team Captain, Moohammad Azharudin during his visit to Dharamshala who participated in the match and scored 100 the that Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) should start hosting Test Matches as it was not just a beautiful stadium but also have all the facilities available and has got a beautiful setting is really a praiseworthy for the HPCA headed Mr Shri Anurag Thakur.
The friendly match played yesterday between the MPs of both the Countries, out of whom some are international fame cricketers was one of its own kind and has paved the way for strengthening the age old relations between the UK and India ‘Mathew Hancock’ the captain of England team has described this match importance not only from sports point of view but also from strengthening of ties between the two countries. He also lauded the HPCA for constructing such a beautiful and full of facilities Cricket Stadium.
The Indian team was led by Mr Anurag Thakur, MP from Himachal Pradesh who is also President of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal presented the traditional Himachali shawls and caps to the players of both the teams. He thanked them for their visit to the State and extended standing invitation for future. He lauded the HPCA for organizing the event and extended his good wishes for strengthening of activities of the HPCA.
Mr Anurag Thakur, President, HPCA revealed that teams from neighboring countries would be invited to play matches at Dharamshala in near future.