ISLAMABAD: A two-member security team will leave for India on Monday to review the situation ahead of a likely visit by the national cricket squad which is scheduled to take part in the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup beginning in Kolkata on March 16.

According to a statement issued by the interior ministry, the Indian High Commission issued visa to members of the security team on Sunday. The officials, led by Federal Investigation Agency Director Usman Anwar, will assess whether the security situation is suitable for the visit by the cricket team, amid threats from Indian extremist and militant organisations.

“All arrangements are in place for the security team to leave for India on Monday,” the statement said.

It is expected to be joined in New Delhi by an official from the Pakistani High Commission. Retired Col Azam Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chief Security Officer, will also be part of the team.

During the visit, it will meet senior Indian security officials and assess the lodging and boarding arrangements for the players.

“The team will meet the Himachal Pradesh chief minister and the state police chief and prepare a report which will be sent to the PCB and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar,” the statement said.

In a press conference on Saturday, the minister had said that the threats to the Pakistani cricketers were credible and hinted that its scheduled departure for India could be delayed until the security officials’ delegation gave its clearance.

“The trip can be delayed until we are sure that they will be safe. We want to ensure our team is provided complete security in India and this is the responsibility of the Indian government and the International Cricket Council,” he had said.

The government’s scepticism appears to be justified after the chief minister of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh refused to provide security for a World T20 tie featuring Pakistan.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said last Sunday that the match should be moved to another venue out of respect for those killed in an assault by militants on the Pathankot air force base in neighbouring Indian Punjab.

He threatened not to provide security for Pakistan’s players at the Himachal Pradesh cricket ground in the Himalayan town of Dharamsala where the match is due to take place.

This had prompted former cricket star and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan to say that the Pakistani cricket team should not participate in the tournament following the chief minister’s refusal to provide security.

“Amid this situation, I don’t believe the Pakistan team should play in Himachal Pradesh,” he said in a statement.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2016