Cuttack, Sept. 22: The spectre of power cuts is haunting the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA).

To ensure that the lights shine throughout the T20 tie between India and South Africa, the OCA today urged the district administration to ensure round-the-clock power supply at Barabati Stadium on October 5.

This will be Barabati's first brush with an international T20 match.

The cricket association expressed its concern in the backdrop of frequent power cuts due to a shortfall in electricity generation in the state.

"We have today requested the authorities to ensure that there is no power failure during the maiden T20 match here at Barabati. The district administration has asked the officials of Central Electricity Supply Utility to come up with a contingency plan to deal with any situation," said OCA secretary Ashirbad Behera.

OCA officials also said that at a preparatory meeting held today, the cricket association had decided to form a sub-committee to come up with measures for the auction of parking lots for spectators near the stadium.

Besides, the sub-committee would also fix the rates for parking space and food items available inside the stadium.

The move comes in the wake of allegations that spectators have to pay through their throats for food packets, water and other refreshments during any match at Barabati.

While the OCA is doing its best to ensure that the match is a success, cricket fans are not letting the rain dampen their excitement.

The OCA is upbeat over the online sales of tickets for the international match. Over 80 per cent of the tickets allotted for online sale have already been sold out and the rest are expected to be over in a few days. Official sources said that out of the 7,100 tickets earmarked for online sale, 5,800 were sold by the end of today.

"After a long gap Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be in action, and we are excited to watch him and the Indian team in action here," said Subhranshu Mohanty, a cricket enthusiast.