Chennai and Bangalore will be the venues for staging the ICC knockout cricket tournament in September next year. Announcing this at a function in Chennai on Saturday, the BCCI President AC Muthiah said the Union Government had already invited the International Cricket Council to hold the knockout tournament in India.

The function was got up by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association to celebrate India's memorable Test series win over Australia here on March 22.

Muthiah said the Centre had also assured the ICC to provide tax exemption when its President, Malcolm Gray met the concerned Union Ministers and officials in this regard in New Delhi last week.

The Board president said all the eleven permanent members of the ICC will compete for honours in the third edition of the tournament.

On India's participation in the coming three-nation cricket tournament in Sharjah from April 8, Muthiah said "the BCCI has appealed to the Centre to allow the Indian team to play in the tournament, but the Government has so far not responded to it. The Government has not said yes or no to the tour but there seems to be a hitch because of Sharjah being the venue,' he said adding 'Government is not against India playing Pakistan but seems to be against playing in Sharjah.'

Muthiah was categorical in his reiteration that the BCCI would stand by the Government's decision in respect of clearance for tours to any country.

© PTI