Whenever Pakistan and India are slated to play against each other, the drama before the match is almost as riveting as the clash itself and that is proving to be the case, once again.
Local politics in India has put the World T20 match between the arch-rivals on March 19, in doubt after Himachal Pardesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that they will not provide security.
Singh said that the match should be moved from Dharamsala to another venue out of respect for the “martyrs” killed in an assault, allegedly by Pakistani militants on an Indian air force base in neighbouring Punjab.
He has threatened not to provide security for Pakistan’s players, at the Himachal Pradesh cricket ground in the Himalayan town.
“We are not willing to provide security for the match,” a senior state government official confirmed to AFP on condition of anonymity. “It’s just one match that we are bothered about because it involves Pakistan and our decision reflects the sentiments of the people of Himachal.”
PCB confident of situation being sorted out
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had its own qualms regarding the security of the national team but the government has already green-lighted their participation in the mega event.
However, the recent statement from Singh is going to make life difficult for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as well as for Pakistani players and fans in India for the World T20.
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan has said that BCCI president Shashank Manohar has told him that board secretary Anurag Thakur is looking into the matter and will sort out the issue.
“Manohar has told me that Anurag is looking into the matter,” said Shaharyar, while addressing a press conference in Lahore. “In 1999, there were similar tensions but when we went there, we were given top-level security. I see no reason why it can’t be done again.”
However, Shaharyar has asked fans to hold their horses and not make travel plans just yet. “They have asked us to tell our fans to wait for a bit more before an official announcement is made,” he added. “There is a lot of demand for Pakistan’s group matches against India, Australia and New Zealand. We are, therefore, hoping that these security and visa issues will be sorted out quickly.”
Shaharyar stated that he has spoken to chief selector Haroon Rasheed, regarding the team’s below-par performance in the ongoing Asia Cup and will soon contact head coach Waqar Younis as well.
Asked whether he had concerns regarding bowling-friendly pitches in T20Is like Indian skipper MS Dhoni, Shaharyar replied that he does not approve entirely of flat pitches as bowling-friendly conditions provide a test for the batting capabilities of different individuals.
BCCI secretary Anurag also took to Twitter, to criticise the handling of the issue by the Indian government. “Those politicising this cricket issue have shown their own shortcomings and incapability,” he said in his tweets. “They are working to tarnish the image of Himachal Pradesh and the country.”
Anurag was left frustrated with the way this issue now throws a spanner into the works of so many plans. “Cricket fans, tourists and organisers have all made their travel plans in accordance with this schedule,” he said, before questioning why these issues were not raised earlier. “Schedule and location of the T20 Cricket World Cup were planned one year ago. Allotment of match venues was made many months ago.”
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