Nadiad (Gujarat), Oct 16 Veteran domestic cricketer Neelam Obi will lead Arunachal Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy Plate Group match against Sikkim on Sunday, as the state team is set to resume its campaign after forfeiting its opening game against Nagaland amidst an administrative crisis.
Arunachal had conceded the match last week as a dispute between rival factions in the Arunachal Cricket Association (ACA) remained unresolved, with the matter pending before the Itanagar bench of the Gauhati High Court.
The ACA has since announced a squad for its next three matches, signalling its intention to take the field against Sikkim.
The association held elections in September, with Nabam Vivek elected president. However, several district associations challenged the polls in the Gauhati High Court, alleging irregularities.
With the court yet to deliver its order, the BCCI has been unable to intervene and appoint an independent selection panel, as it did in Bihar.
“There is a stay order from the court and the BCCI cannot step in. There is no one running the state body. Until the court gives the clearance, we cannot do anything,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had told PTI.
The administrative turmoil has also affected Arunachal’s age-group cricket.
The team failed to field an Under-19 side for a Vinoo Mankad Trophy match against Sikkim in Bhubaneswar, with the dispute leaving the association without a functioning authority to oversee team selection.
Arunachal finished bottom of the Plate Group last season, losing all five matches. Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Sikkim are the other teams in the group.
The squad: Neelam Obi (C), Kamsha Yangfo (VC), Nabam Kama, Licha Jhon, Myendung Singpo, Techi Doria, Biki Kumar, Mibom Mosu, Yorjum Sera, Yab Niya, Nabam Tempol, Techi Neri, Likha Sonia, Nabam Dol, Salil Malhotra (guest player).
Stand-bys: Nabam Totu, Nabam Josh, Techi Sania, Darge Bagra, Shuhel Aktar Ansari, Penjor Mangol, Techi Sonam, Akhilesh Sahani, Chandhan Kumar Singh, Techi Tiklee, Rakesh Kumar.
(PTI News)
