The stadium has almost everything what it takes to be a world class venue and the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association feels next year`s IPL matches will only strengthen their bid for ICC recognition to host one-dayers.
"We have hosted practice matches with international teams in the past but our ultimate dream is to see the stadium being granted one-day international recognition by the ICC," HPCA President Anurag Thakur.
The serene HPCA stadium was scheduled to host four IPL matches last season but lost out on the opportunity after the Twenty20 league was relocated to South Africa as it clashed with the dates of general election.
However, the association`s dream will finally materialize when it will host two matches of IPL-III between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings next year.
"Last year we missed out on the opportunity to host IPL matches. But this time (in 2010) we will host two IPL matches and we hope it will pave the way towards hosting ODI matches in the stadium in near future," Thakur said.
ICC match referee, Zimbabwean Allan Hurst paid a visit to the stadium two years back and expressed his satisfaction over the playing conditions.
However, there were some concerns on his part but those has been taken care of to make the stadium a quality venue, which is currently hosting the inaugural edition of Sahara BCCI Corporate Trophy.
"ICC match referee inspected the stadium in 2007 and seemed satisfied with the playing facilities in place. But during his visit he had raised a few concerns like scarcity of good hotels here, quality of the approach road to the stadium, wi-fi internet connections and rooms for the match officials.
"We have taken his suggestions seriously and have already upgraded the wifi connection in the stadium, renovated the umpires` room and widened the roads to the stadium," Thakur said.
"Even five hotels have come up in Dharmashala and in the adjacent Mcloedganj. We have compiled a report on these upgradations and have already submitted it to the BCCI. We are now expecting ICC to inspect the stadium again and told the BCCI that we are ready for the inspection whenever ICC wants," Thakur said.
The stadium is all set to get a indoor practice facility soon, the association said.
"Construction work for an indoor practice centre is going on in full swing and we are expecting it to be operational by January next year. The entire project will cost around Rs eight crore," said Thakur, who is also an MP from Hamairpur and son of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.
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