Pakistan team to arrive in India on March 11 for WT20

The Shahid Afridi-led side will have their initial base in Kolkata © AFP

After hectic day-long parleys at various levels, the Pakistan cricket team is set to arrive in the country on Friday (March 11) to participate in the World T20. "It's all clear now. The Pakistan team will arrive in the city on Friday afternoon," Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly said. The former India captain stated that the Pakistan team is likely to take an early Emirates flight from Dubai on Friday. The team was originally scheduled to leave for India on Tuesday evening.

This news came late in the evening after political grandstanding had almost marred the prospect of a smooth start to World T20 with politicians in both countries not looking inclined to relent from their position over security for the Pakistan cricket team.

Even 24 hours after the venue of Indo-Pak clash on March 19 was shifted to Kolkata from Dharamsala, Islamabad continued to insist on a public statement from a cabinet minister, or an assurance in writing, guaranteeing "foolproof" security for not just its team but also spectators from Pakistan. India seemed to have made up its mind that there was no question of giving any written assurance to one particular team. Official sources said Pakistan had "tied itself into knots" over the issue.

The ministry of external affairs (MEA) only said that the government had ensured adequate security for such international sporting events in the past and that India had no doubt that the T-20 World Cup too was going to be a "resounding success in all aspects". "Recently, the South Asian Federation Games saw good and enthusiastic participation of all contingents, including Pakistan," said MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

India's stand was that once the venue was shifted to Kolkata, Pakistan did not have any reason to complain.

As the day wore on, Pakistan interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said in Islamabad that Pakistan was in no position to give clearance to the tour without any assurance from Indian government. Pakistan officials said what MEA had said couldn't be taken as an assurance as Pakistan team's case was different from any other team. "We would have appreciated if India had acknowledged that Pakistan team faces a more specific threat," said a Pakistan official, adding that Pakistan was upset that its high commissioner Abdul Basit had not been given appointment to meet Union home minister Rajnath Singh.

Reacting to this, the Indian officials said: "MEA statement should have been enough but they don't know how to wriggle out of the situation which they created by insisting on a written assurance from India."

Pakistan will have their initial base in Kolkata, and will play their first warm-up match against a Bengal XI at the Eden Gardens on Saturday afternoon. They will also play Sri Lanka in another warm-up game at the same venue on Monday before taking on a Qualifier in the first Super 10 Group II league match on March 16.

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India-Pakistan World T20 clash moved to Kolkata

Initially scheduled to be held in Dharamsala, the change of venue has taken place after the Pakistan Cricket Board expressed concerns over security in the city. © AFP

The highly-anticipated India-Pakistan clash of the World T20 has been moved to the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Wednesday (March 9).

"The decision to relocate the match has been made for security reasons. The concerns initially arose following alleged public comments recently reported by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, warning of demonstrations and attempts to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the match. "Our concerns relate both to uncertainty as to the level of those threats as well as the level of commitment to implement any security plan developed to mitigate such treats," David Richardson, the CEO of the International Cricket Council, said in a press conference held in the national capital on Wednesday.

"The decision was not taken lightly. The ICC and the BCCI understand the disappointment that is likely to be felt by many over the decision to move the match. But the safety and security of the event is of paramount importance to the ICC and we have taken into consideration the concerns shared with us by our security advisors as well as Pakistan Cricket Board," he added.

Richardson also reiterated that all the adequate security measures will be in place to ensure the World T20 is conducted in a safe and secure environment, even as the venue change for the big game comes merely 10 days ahead of the fixture. "I would like to confirm that the ICC has been assured by all relevant state authorities that all adequate security measures are in place and will be implemented to ensure that the event is staged in a safe and secure environment for all stakeholders."

Initially scheduled to be held in Dharamsala, the change of venue has taken place after the Pakistan Cricket Board expressed concerns over security in the city. Virbhadra Singh, the Himachal Pradesh chief minister, had said last week that the state government would be unable to provide security for the highly-anticipated fixture.

There appears to be a political undertone to the sudden turn of events as Anurag Thakur, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), pushed for the game to be held in the picturesque location for months while Virbhadra, a Congressman, opposing it.

A two-member security delegation from Pakistan assessed the conditions in Dharamsala on Tuesday. A Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) official in the know of proceedings, however, explained that the delegation were satisfied with the board's efforts at the venue but had concerns over the areas outside the stadium where the team would travel.

"The security delegation were happy with the security inside the ground and the stadium premises. But their main concern was with the areas outside and the team's movements outside the stadium, on the roads etc. The state refused to use force against people if they protested outside and that was a major concern for the Pakistan authorities. Pakistan have communicated to BCCI that their first preference is Kolkata and second is Mohali," he told Cricbuzz.

The official also admitted that the possible move would be a disappointment, as Dharamsala had been preparing to host the marquee clash for over six months. "It was such a huge game, we have been preparing for this for the last six months and we were very excited. But that's the way life goes," he added.

Following the change of venue, Richardson put forth a couple of options for fans who have already purchased the Dharamsala match ticket. "As far as those who have purchased tickets online for the match, they will be offered the choice of a full refund or the opportunity to exchange their tickets for ones for the Kolkata match."

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Pakistan want Kolkata or Mohali to stage World T20 clash against India

Pakistani security team arrive at Dharamsala to conduct a security assessment © AFP

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shahryar Khan said on Tuesday (March 8) evening that conflicting signals emanating from India over Dharamshala as the venue for the India-Pakistan World T20 match have forced them to seek a change in location for the marquee contest.

The PCB sent a letter to this effect to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday. Late-night TV reports said the Pakistani security team had advised the cricket squad to not travel to Dharamshala and even the trip to Kolkata on Wednesday may be delayed by a day.

"The Himachal CM has not committed full security for the match and the Indian government has also not come up with any assuring statement so far," Khan told TOI. "Under the circumstances, how can we allow our team to play there?"

A concerned PCB boss said the "real issue" was lack of clarity from the Indian government after the "Dharamshala tension" erupted. "Our real problem is that we haven't got any security arrangement details from the government of India. We are still waiting to hear from them officially. We at least need to be told about the position of the protesters in Dharamashala or about Shiv Sena's threat," Khan said.

Khan said PCB would consult the government of Pakistan before taking a final call. According to him, the PCB wants either Mohali or Kolkata to stage their World T20 clash against India.

"I have sent an email to the ICC that if Dharamshala has a problem hosting Pakistan-India World T20 game, the match should be played either in Mohali or Kolkata. The Pakistan board is also open to the idea of playing it else where as long as the safety and security of the Pakistani cricketers is taken care of."

Khan said that since Pakistan are already playing their matches in Mohali and Kolkata, it would be easy for the team to play at these venues. Sources in Pakistan cricket establishment told TOI that there are concerns across the border over how police will control unruly mobs, over security of Pakistani fans and journalists and also about the arrangements if Pakistan wins the game. Khan, however, refused to comment on it.

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India-Pakistan clash will go on in Dharamsala: WT20 director

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Amidst heavy speculation, MV Sridhar, the World T20 2016 tournament director, stated on Tuesday (March 8) that the marquee clash between India and Pakistan will go on in Dharamsala as per schedule on March 19.

"The match is on. The state and central governments are on board and all security arrangements have been made," Sridhar said after a meeting with MK Singla, Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Home Ministry.

According to a PTI report, Singla said that the team of officials from Pakistan which had visited Dharamsala after security concerns cropped up recently, has expressed satisfaction at the arrangements made in the stadium as well as hotels. Singla also stated that Kangra District Magistrate and local Inspector General of Police assured full protection to players and the venue.

Sridhar, however, conceded that a few more issues are yet to be sorted out and said that stated that discussions with Home Ministry officials remained inconclusive in that regard. He, however, did not divulge what those 'issues'.

Sridhar, who is also general manager of cricket operations of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, was accompanied by Neeraj Kumar, the Indian Premier League anti-corruption and security unit head and former Delhi Police Commissioner, and a few other BCCI officials. Representatives of Himachal Pradesh government were also present.

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Pakistan delay travel to India over security issues

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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly stopped their men's and women's team from travelling to India for the World Twenty20 over security concerns. After a three-man team from Pakistan assessed the arrangements in Dharamsala on Tuesday (March 8), the board has decided that the team should not play at the venue.

"PCB has delayed national women's and men's cricket team from travelling to India.The final decision on teams departure to India for T20 World Cup will be taken after a formal go-ahead by the interior ministry," Amjad Hasan, PCB's director media, was quoted as saying by The Dawn.

Earlier, Virbhadra Singh, the chief minister of the Himachal Pradesh, had stated that he would not be able to provide security for the game.

As per schedule, both the Pakistan teams were supposed to fly out to India on Wednesday (March 9) but an instruction to defer that itinerary has come at the 11th hour. The Shahid Afridi-led side are scheduled to face India in Dharamsala on March 19.

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