SECURITY CONCERN: PAK MAY NOT PLAY IN DHARAMSHALA ON MAR 19
PENDING Eden stakes claim as uncertainty looms large over high-profile World T20 clash on March 19
DHARAMSALA/KOLKATA: According to reports in the Pakistan media late on Tuesday, the country’s security team sent to Dharamsala apparently suggested that despite assurances by the Indian government on the cricket team’s security, the Himachal Pradesh’s state administration lacks quick response facilities which may endanger lives and property of Pakistan squad.
The PCB has thus delayed the departure of women’s and men’s teams to India for the World T20, the PCB’s director media Amjad Hussain said on Tuesday evening. “The final decision on team’s departure will be taken after a formal go ahead by the interior ministry.”
Pakistan were scheduled to land in Delhi on Wednesday and then travel to Kolkata for their warm-up matches.
Meanwhile, a Cricket Association of Bengal official, who did wish to be identified, told HT that Eden should be given the game, adding: “Pakistan are already scheduled to play here on March 16. If the IndiaPakistan match is shifted here, then Pakistan won’t have to travel.”
Earlier in the day, MV Sridhar, tournament director and BCCI’s general manager-cricket operations, said the match will stay in Dharamsala. “The match is on. We have sold tickets online. We are hopeful the PCB in consultation with their government will return with a positive response. Whatever information and the actual situation has been communicated to the security team and now the decision is with them.”