LAHORE: The much-anticipated ICC World T20 match between Pakistan and India, scheduled to be held in Dharamshala, is most likely to be shifted to another venue after the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh state offered a cold shoulder to the two-member security delegation of Pakistan which is in India to assess the situation and security arrangements.
According to sources, there are reports that in Dharamshala no high level official of the state government met with the delegation comprising FIA DG Lahore Usman Anwar and PCB security head Col. (retd) Azam. Reports further said that the people in Dharamshala and adjoining areas remained hostile towards holding of the match, in reaction to last month’s terrorist attack at the Pathankot airbase, allegedly involving terrorists from Pakistan, in which more than half a dozen people were killed.
Sources said that the BCCI is most likely to change the venue after which the PCB will send the national team to India late Wednesday evening. However, a final decision in this regard will be taken after receiving a formal report from the security delegation, which is expected back any time on Tuesday night.
Himachal Pradesh CM’s poor response irks visiting delegates
Meanwhile, the Pakistan women’s cricket team was to leave for Delhi on Tuesday for the ICC Women’s World T20 but its departure has been deferred for an indefinite period.
A PCB spokesman said that both the men and women teams might be leaving for Delhi on Wednesday, provided everything went according to the plan. But the departure might be delayed for a couple of days if the situation is not cleared on venues.
Earlier on Tuesday, tournament director M.V. Sridhar said the much-anticipated match between India and Pakistan will be held as scheduled in Dharamshala.
“The match is on. The state and central governments are on board and all security arrangements have been made,” he said after a meeting with Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the home ministry M.K. Singla besides others here.
Pakistan will play against India on March 19 in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. There has been some opposition in the state, including from ex-servicemen, on holding the match at the hill station.
Sridhar, however, said discussions with the home ministry officials remained inconclusive and a few issues are yet to be sorted out.
Sridhar, also general manager of cricket operations of the BCCI, was accompanied by IPL anti-corruption and security unit head and former Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar and a few other BCCI officials.
Representatives of Himachal Pradesh government were also present in the meeting.
Sridhar claimed an official team of Pakistan had visited Dharamshala and has expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements in the stadium as well as hotels in the picturesque hill station.
Sridhar said Kangra District Magistrate and local IG Police assured full protection to players and the venue.
Besides the Dharamshala match, Pakistan will play two matches in Mohali, Punjab against New Zealand on March 22 and against Australia on March 25.
The Pakistani team will also play a match in Kolkata on March 16.
Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2016