World Cup organisers have rejected a bid by India to have the second semi-final changed from a day-nighter into a day game.

India, who are likely to reach that Durban semi-final on March 20, fear the toss could have a disproportionate influence on the result.

World Cup executive director Ali Bacher, resonding to the request from Board of Control for Cricket in India president Jagmohan Dalmiya, said on Friday that the day-nighter would not be switched.

"I spoke to Mr Dalmiya by telephone from Cape Town this afternoon to inform him of the decision reached by myself and colleagues from the organising committee," Bacher said in a statement.

"Having explained the thinking and reasons behind our decision, Mr Dalmiya repeated assurances given to me yesterday that he and the BCCI will accept this ruling in good faith."

Seven World Cup matches have been staged as day-nighters in Durban and Cape Town. Five teams winning the toss went on to win the game, while Monday's rain-affected match between South Africa and Sri Lanka ended in a tie.

Dalmiya said on Wednesday he had approached other teams likely to qualify from the Super Sixes to see if they would back the India request but added: "We are not going to make an issue about it."

Bacher had made it clear he would strongly oppose any switch. "Day-nighters are the most spectacular form of one-day games," he said on Wednesday.

He added that historical statistics showed that the toss was not crucial for day-night matches in Durban.

He stressed a switch would upset thousand of spectators, who had already made travel plans to attend the match, as well as broadcasters, adding: "The time of the match was agreed and announced by the International Cricket Council way back in October 2001."

Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are the top sides in the last six along with India.

The first semi-final in Port Elizabeth on March 18 is a day match. That game will feature the top side after the Super Six stage against the fourth-ranked team, with the second and third teams heading for Durban.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 5 Sub: day night match it is really sad to see that the second semi-final will be decided by the toss... commercial considerations seem to have dominated other important cricket ... Posted by puneet Sub: it is good decission by looking into the body langyage of kenyans they might qualify for semi's by winning match against zimbawe. India might face kenya again in semis.who ... Posted by naveen a n Sub: WHOLE NIGHT GAME INSTEAD OF D/N IT IS TIME THAT THE CRICKETING ASSOCIATION MAKE NECESSARY UPGRADATIONS TO THE LIGHTS AND THE PITCH TO GIVE EQUAL CHANCE TO BOTH THE TEAMS...... WHY ... Posted by GIGO PETER Sub: Kenya and Zimbabwe It is dis-heartening to see Kenya and sometimes Zimbabwe's name not taken in the super sixes team especially Kenya's even though they have 10 points ... Posted by Vikas Gupta Sub: Swith the Second SF from Durban/or convert it into Day game I strongly believe that Durban pitch favors the team bowling second. So, in a big event like the WC SF, it should be considered as ... Posted by Kedar Khandekar