The Sri Lankan cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on October 21 and play a warm-up game the next day, before the start of their India tour, comprising of seven one-day internationals.
"The Lankans have asked for a practice game and we have decided to field a MCA Presidents XI against the visitors," Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Joint secretary Lalchand Rajput said after the Managing Committee meeting in Mumbai.
He said three cricketers of last year's Mumbai Ranji team captain Sairaj Bahutule, left-arm spinner Nilesh Kulkarni and Amol Muzumdar have tendered unconditional apologies to the managing committee for their outburst against the Association in the media.
"All three have said in their letters that they had been misquoted in the media. The managing committee has accepted their appologies and closed the chapter," he said.
He said that Bahutule had been given a No Objection Certificate by the Association, paving the way for the cricketer to play for Maharashtra in the 2005-06 season. Kulkarni and Muzumdar will continue to play for Mumbai, Rajput said.
Informing about another important decision taken on Saturday, Rajput said former Test cricketer Sudhir Naik has been appointed as the curator for the Wankhade stadium pitch for this year. He will be paid Rs 20,000 plus allowances of Rs 5,000 per month.
