No decision yet on India-Pak match
The first ball in the World Twenty20 was bowled on Tuesday in the qualifiers, but it was feverish speculation raising doubts over Dharamsala staying as the venue for the March 19 India-Pakistan tie that took centrestage.
MV Sridhar, tournament director and BCCI’s general managercricket operations, told the media that the match will stay in Dharamsala. “The match is on,” Sridhar said. “We have sold tickets online. We are hopeful the Pakistan Board in consultation with their government will come back with a positive response. Whatever information, and the actual situation, has been communicated to the PCB team and now the decision is with them.”
However, media reports in Pakistan late on Tuesday raised concerns over the Himachal exservicemen opposing the Pakistan game. “While security arrangements in Dharamsala are fine, the political tension in the region is a serious concern for the Pakistan team,” the Express Tribune quoted an unnamed PCB official as saying. “We can’t take any risk with the players. The board has requested the ICC to look for another option.”
While Mohali ruled itself out, Kolkata threw its hat in the ring. It is learnt the CAB officially wrote to the Board on Monday.
A CAB official, who did wish to be identified, told HT that Kolkata and not Bengaluru should be given the game, adding: “Pakistan are already scheduled to play here on March 16. If the India-Pakistan match is shifted here, then Pakistan won’t have to travel.”