An organiser of a cricket tournament in Odisha was stabbed to death during a brawl after a batsman was adjudged out by the umpire on Sunday.

Two men attacked Lucky Rout, 22, with knives after two groups of villagers had fought over the umpire’s decision in the T20 match at Mahishananda village in Cuttack district.

Sources said the match was being played between teams from Brahampur and Shankarpur villages. Trouble erupted after the opening batsman of the Brahampur team was bowled on the very first ball. The Brahampur players and fans rushed onto the field and demanded that the umpire declare it a no ball. It is not clear how the spectators, far away from the pitch, came to the conclusion that it was a no ball

Preeti Ranjan Samal, the umpire, told reporters: “The opening batsman of the Brahampur team was clean bowled on the first ball. But the players of Brahampur disputed the umpire’s call and rushed onto the ground. They argued with me and claimed it was a no ball. Soon, players from the two teams began to fight. One of them attacked me with a bat, which was when Lucky Rout, a member of the organising committee of the tournament, came to my rescue.”

Samal added: “Soon, tension escalated and the players from Brahampur called some youths from their village. One of the youths, Smrutiranjan Rout alias Muna, came to the ground along with a friend on a motorcycle and attacked Lucky with a knife. Before anyone could react, they frequently stabbed and slashed Lucky, who slumped to the ground, bleeding profusely.”

Lucky was rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, where he was declared dead on arrival.

While Muna managed to escape, the villagers caught hold of the youth accompanying him. Locals gheraoed the cops who came to the rescue of the unidentified youth.

A platoon of policemen was deployed at the spot. Later in the evening, the police managed to get the youth released.

Additional superintendent of police Arun Swain said: “The police have launched a hunt for the main accused. We are keeping a watch on the developments.”