Dalmiya meets Pranab, wants help in bringing back Eden WC match

In his desperate bid to bring back the India-England World Cup match to Eden Gardens, Cricket Association of Bengal chief Jagmohan Dalmiya on Saturday called on Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, though authorities denied taking any political help.

Dalmiya headed straight to the veteran Congressman's residence minutes after he held an emergency meeting with his colleagues at his office this evening.

Dalmiya refused to talk to the media and said he would hold a press conference on Sunday.

The latest move by Dalmiya appears to be the last-ditch effort by the seasoned cricket administrator to get some help from Mukherjee who can take up the matter with his cabinet colleague and International Cricket Council president Sharad Pawar.

Meanwhile, the CAB office bearers are hoping against hope that ICC will change its stance and give back the February 27 match to Eden Gardens.

Trustee board member Bablu Koley said, "It's very difficult to say whether we would get back the match. It's hoping against hope.

"But we want to show the world (and ICC) that we will be ready by February 7 -- 20 days ahead of the scheduled fixture. If the extension in deadline of 14 days was given to the venues in Sri Lanka and Wankhede, then why not to CAB?" he asked.

CAB joint-secretary Biswarup Dey maintained that they were still hopeful.

Dey said, "If we fail to host the World Cup matches and the opposition members ask us to resign, we will do so."