Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur has assured all teams of the 'highest' security amid reports that Pakistan has proposed to play its World Twenty20 matches at a neutral venue.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan on Monday said a proposal was given to play their World Twenty20 matches on neutral venues next month in the event that the government does not allow the team to tour India.

India host the ICC World Twenty20 from March 8 to April 3 but Pakistan's participation is subject to government clearance as there are specific threats, Khan said.

“We have told the International Cricket Council now and before as well, the decision (to tour India) is with the government and it will consider if there is a specific Pakistan oriented security threat,” Khan told media.

But according to Thakur, the BCCI was well equipped to host a world event and added that 'no country should feel insecure.'

“Pakistan is one among those 16 teams and the Indian government will provide complete security to all the teams. I think all the qualifying teams should come and participate in the World Cup. India is ready and if any country has some issues then they need to decide about it,” Thakur was quoted as saying by Times of India.

“BCCI will organise the World Cup in the nicest possible way and will provide every team with highest protection. Earlier also we have hosted many World Cups and international matches and I don't think any country should feel insecure here.”

2009 champion Pakistan will take on the Group A winner in Kolkata on March 16, before locking horns with traditional rival India in Dharamsala on March 19. Its remaining two matches will be in Mohali against New Zealand and Australia on March 22 and 25, respectively.


First round (group winners to progress to second round)

Group A – Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland and Oman

Group B – Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan

Second round groups

Super 10 Group 1 – Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, England and winner group B (Q1B)

Super 10 Group 2 – India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and winner group A (Q1A)

Flashback: Pakistan-India clash goes down to the wire (2012, 1st T20, Bengaluru)

Editorial

Budget delay
Updated 04 Jun, 2026

Budget delay

With economic stabilisation yet to translate into tangible improvement in living standards, the country’s leaders are finding it increasingly difficult to ignore demands for relief.
Absentee lawmakers
04 Jun, 2026

Absentee lawmakers

TWENTY per cent. That is the percentage of lawmakers whose commitment to their vocation is reflected in the time ...
Deliberate provocationst
04 Jun, 2026

Deliberate provocationst

THE latest events at Al-Aqsa Mosque reflect the growing impunity with which extremist Israeli settlers operate. ...
Missing confidence
03 Jun, 2026

Missing confidence

For the government, the economy may be more stable now than it was three years ago, but for manufacturers and exporters, it is still difficult to do business.
GB elections
03 Jun, 2026

GB elections

THERE has been some heated politicking in the country’s scenic north in recent days, with Gilgit-Baltistan finally...
The Lebanon factor
03 Jun, 2026

The Lebanon factor

THE fragile calm that followed the recent US-Iran confrontation is being tested. Iran has made it clear that it does...