International Cricket Council (ICC) has dismissed Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appeal against the decision to declare the pitch at Feroz Shah Kotla ground in New Delhi. The fifth ODI between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned after 23.4 overs on 27th December 2009 due to dangerous and unsafe pitch.

The original decision to declare the pitch as unfit was taken by ICC General Manager – Cricket David Richardson and ICC Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle, a decision that was subsequently appealed by the BCCI. The commissioner, Michael Beloff QC, conducted the hearing via teleconference on Tuesday and issued his written judgment late today[Wednesday].

“In his judgment Mr Beloff states that following due consideration of all the evidence and submissions from both the ICC and BCCI, the correct decision was taken by Mr Richardson and Mr Madugalle to declare the pitch to be dangerous and, therefore, unfit,” ICC said in a statement.

Beloff added that the imposed suspension until the end of 2010 was proportionate in this case.

“We must now focus on making sure the New Delhi venue is ready in time for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011,” ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said. “The ICC’s pitch consultant will travel shortly to Feroz Shah Kotla, a ground with a long and proud history, to begin the process of remedial work that will ensure the pitch is restored to its former glory,” said Lorgat.