Considering previous editions of the prestigious U-16 Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) Harris Shield inter-school cricket final were held at better venues — Shivaji Park Gymkhana ground (2015), Bombay Gymkhana (2014), Matunga Gymkhana (2013) and Cricket Club of India (2012) — to see this season's final between Al-Barkaat MMI (Kurla) and Rizvi Sprinfield (Bandra) being held at Azad Maidan's Sassanian Cricket Club ground came as a surprise.

No wonder defending champions Al-Barkaat's coach Nafees Khan is upset. "Our boys are senior school players and deserve to play the final at a better venue. The U-14 Giles Shield final was played at the Vengsarkar Academy Ground, Oval Maidan. Cricket is one of MSSA's most important sporting disciplines, but they are doing nothing to promote it," said Khan Rizvi coach Raju Pathak also agreed that the final deserved a better venue.