BCCI assures foolproof security to Pakistan for World T20
Pakistan will play its first match against a qualifier team in Kolkata on March 16.
NEW DELHI (Web Desk) - A day after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) threatened to pull out of the mega event citing safety concerns, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday assured foolproof security to Pakistan for the World Twenty20 in India.
To a question regarding PCB chief Shaharyar Khan seeking written assurance from the BCCI and the Indian government, senior BCCI official and IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla said foolproof security will be provided to all teams including Pakistan for the event starting March 8.
"As far as the BCCI is concerned, foolproof security will be provided to Pakistan. They should not worry about the security arrangements. Now the decision has to be taken by the PCB. They are accountable to the ICC (world body). The PCB should decide on the matter but we will be providing foolproof security to their players," Shukla stated.
Uncertainty pervails over match between India and Pakistan in Dharamsala on March 19 with Himachal Pradesh’s ex-servicemen protesting against the game in the wake of the Pathankot terror attacks in January.
A day after BCCI secretary and BJP MP Anurag Thakur said he was hopeful of the match happening in the hill station following his meeting with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Congressman Shukla too spoke to the CM of the Congress-ruled Himachal on the controversial matter.
"I have spoken to the HP CM and he has assured us of putting all the necessary arrangements in place," he said.
On the protests by ex-servicemen in the state, Shukla added: "We sympathise with the protesters and that is why on bilateral matches with Pakistan, we have not taken any decision. But this is a world event. Because of the humongous logistical challenge, it is difficult to change the venue now".
Earlier on February 25, Pakistani government gave permission to the national cricket team to play World Twenty20 in India.
The sixth edition of the ICC (International Cricket Council) World Twenty20 will be held in India from March 8 to April 3.
Pakistan will play its first match against a qualifier team in Kolkata on March 16, before taking on arch-rivals India in a high-profile game in Dharamsala three days later.
They also play New Zealand (March 22) and Australia (March 25) in the first round.
