Now, Kolkata to host Indo-Pak World T20 clash

New Delhi/Lahore: The high-voltage World Twenty20 clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan was on Wednesday moved to Kolkata from Dharamsala following safety concerns but Pakistan team’s departure continued to be on hold, pending fool-proof security assurance from the Indian government.
The much anticipated match was thrown into jeopardy after Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh expressed inability to provide security for the match, prompting Pakistan to send a three-member delegation to assess the security situation.
The ICC finally announced the relocation of the match to the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata where Pakistan will be based for the initial stages of the event. The Qualifiers of the World Twenty20 are in progress while the main stage will be held from March 15 to April 3. Pakistan will play their matches in Mohali and Kolkata.
“A decision has been taken to relocate the India-Pakistan match from Dharamsala to Kolkata due to security reasons.”
“The match will be played at the same time and date (March 19, 7:30pm),” ICC Chief Executive Officer Dave Richardson said at a press conference.
“The concerns initially arose following alleged public comments recently reported by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, warning of demonstration 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,” he said explaining the decision.
Minutes after the ICC announcement, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan welcomed the decision but said Pakistan government has kept the team’s departure on hold awaiting an assurance from the Indian government.
“Both men and women teams (departure) have been deferred. I have also informed this to the government because it has asked for my opinion,” Shaharyar said at a press conference.
“I have told them that Kolkata is fine as venue and we welcome and appreciate it. But the Indian government from their side must also give us an assurance on the danger,” the PCB chief said.
“Pakistan government has not talked with the Indian government. This threat is on us so the PCB has talked with the Indian government. It is the PCB that is raising this issue with the BCCI, ICC and the government of India that this assurance should be given by India. We have not given any deadline,” added Shaharyar.
Richardson said they were not left with any other choice but to move the match out of the hill city and it was loss for Dharamsala to not host such a high-profile fixture.
“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,” the ICC CEO said.
Richardson said the onus now was on Pakistan to send the team since their apprehensions have been addressed.
“We have done the best possible security arrangements and if they do not come now, we will have to take the legal route. It will be very unjustified, if they do not come,” he said.
Asked if the BCCI or state association (HPCA) would face any sanction, Richardson replied in the negative.
“We understand the circumstances. India is a big and complicated country and there are challenges with every ICC event. It is the best decision to shift the match to Kolkata. It’s not unprecedented. It’s unfortunate these concerns were raised. It was better if raised early. It’s a difficult decision. We wanted to stick to the original plan but we were forced into,”Richardson said.
“ICC has not lost faith in India. There are huge logistics challenges. There are 59 matches in total, across eight venues. And first time with women matches are also being held (with men’s event.)
“It is too early to take any disciplinary action against state association. If we didn’t have the match then we would have had more grounds but here we have relocated the match and it was the best option,” he said.