Guwahati, March 18: Guwahati Sports Association (GSA) cricket secretary Bablu Choudhury has stepped down from his post, taking moral responsibility for Guwahati’s early exit from the Nuruddin Ahmed Trophy senior inter-district cricket tournament.

Choudhury had put in his papers on February 28 but his resignation was officially accepted on Friday.

Former champions Guwahati crashed out in the pre-quarterfinal stage, losing to Barpeta after a coin toss. In the two-day match on February 25 and 26, Guwahati had piled up 386 in the first innings and Barpeta were at 18, losing a single wicket on the first day. But the fate of the match was decided by tossing a coin after unseasonal overnight rain rendered the Nehru Stadium pitch unplayable on day two.

Choudhury admitted that leaving the pitch uncovered after the day’s play was a mistake on his part. The umpires had reported that despite reminders, the GSA did not take any initiative to cover the pitch. The GSA did not have a cover of its own, but could have borrowed one from the Assam Cricket Association.

GSA insiders felt Choudhury alone should not have been hauled up as it was the responsibility of the entire association. They also pointed out that paucity of funds to hire labourers to carry and lay the cover had posed a hurdle.

In another development, a section of cricketers who felt deprived of opportunities for a year, joined hands with some cricket clubs to withdraw affiliation from the GSA and form a new cricket body. They have also proposed to seek the affiliation of the ACA separately.