New Mangalagiri stadium to host APL semifinals, final

Vijayawada: The newly developed Mangalagiri cricket stadium will host the semifinals and final of Andhra Premier League (APL), marking a major milestone for cricket infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh.

The matches will be held from June 24 to 30, Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) president and Vijayawada MP Kesineni Shivanath (Kesineni Chinni) announced on Saturday.The APL, which began in Visakhapatnam on June 9 and later moved to Kadapa, will conclude at the Mangalagiri venue. ACA officials said all arrangements for the tournament’s final phase have been completed, including player facilities, broadcasting infrastructure, spectator amenities, and security measures.

A reserve day has also been earmarked for the final in case of adverse weather conditions.He said the stadium has been upgraded to international standards and features six high-quality cricket pitches, two modern dressing rooms, a fully equipped gymnasium, commentary boxes, a broadcast centre, media facilities, and 75 accommodation rooms.The venue is now ready to host competitive matches and large crowds, the ACA president said.

“The Mangalagiri stadium is ready to host the semifinals and final of APL. We have created all necessary infrastructure required for hosting high-level cricket matches and look forward to welcoming players and fans,” he said.

Chinni added that ACA intends to make the stadium a regular venue for domestic tournaments and also international cricket events. The association is also planning to launch a women’s Premier League in the coming days, he said. The APL final on June 30 is expected to be attended by IT and electronics minister Nara Lokesh.