Fire accident forces BCCI to reschedule Vijay Hazare Trophy semi-final to Saturday at Feroz Shah Kotla

New Delhi: After break out at the hotel in Dwarka where Jharkhand team was staying for their Vijay Hazare Trophy semi-final clash against Bengal on Friday, the match has been postponed to Saturday.

Though BCCI have confirmed that all the players and match officials are unhurt and safe, but it can be very well understood that they won't be in a mental state to continue with today's match.

The semi-final, which was to be held today at the Airforce Complex ground, Palam will now be held at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium tomorrow.

The final will now be played on March 20 instead of Sunday at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium here.

The match referee's decision to postpone the game was taken as the kits of the team were at the hotel and there was no way that the match could have started.

Both teams were at the ground but since the Jharkhand players were also mentally disturbed, the BCCI had to give them a day's time to get into a proper frame of mind.

"A fire call was received at 6.30 a.m., from the WelcomHotel in Dwarka, Sector 10 area, following which 30 fire tenders were rushed to the spot," a fire official told IANS.

"It took around over an hour to douse the flames. No casualties were reported."

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (SouthWest) Surendra Kumar, all players including Dhoni, who is leading the team, were safely evacuated.

"The incident took place just before the Jharkhand cricket team was set to leave for net practice," Kumar added.

(With Agencies inputs)