PAKISTAN THREATENS TO PULL OUT OF WORLD T20, DEMANDS SECURITY GUARANTEE

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board threatened to pull out of the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20 if they are not guaranteed foolproof security and a “public statement” about its participation in the mega-event by the Indian government.

Even as uncertainty refused to die down over the fate of the high- profile match — scheduled to be held in Dharamsala on March 19 — with Himachal Pradesh’s ex- servicemen league protesting against hosting the g ame, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan called for India to publicly acknowledge Pakistan’s participation in the tournament.

GOVT INITIATIVE

“We have told the ICC that there is only one step that the Indian government needs to take and that is to issue a public statement that they are ready to welcome Pakistan and ensure full security for our team, which hasn’t come as yet,” Shaharyar said.

“We have already been given permission (to travel) and we want to come, but we need reassurance and they should give a statement that will create a sense of security among us. I spoke to the BCCI and they are giving us a private assurance, claiming that it’s all about internal politics, nothing else, and that Pakistan should come.

STATEMENT NEEDED

“But a public statement is important and it should come, as there are threats and we can see them. We have written to the ICC that they should come forward and we’ve asked the Indian government to assure us and give a statement.

“If they won’t give the statement, then I see it’s very difficult to go to India. There is no deadline in making the decision but we will have to monitor till the end and can even pull out at the eleventh hour.”