The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur said “no country should feel insecure” about playing in India after reports emerged that Pakistan has proposed to play its matches in the upcoming World T20 at neutral venues.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shahryar Khan said that the team’s World T20 participation was discussed in Dubai and felt that the Pakistan government might not allow the team to participate in the World T20 in India, as it faces specific threats from extremists.
But BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur was quick to assure the Pakistan team that they would be provided full security: “BCCI will organise the T20 World Cup in the nicest possible way and will provide every team with the highest protection. Earlier also we have hosted many World Cups and international matches and I don’t think any country should feel insecure here,” Thakur said.
PCB chief Shahryar Khan had earlier stated that a proposal was sent to allow Pakistan to play their matches at neutral venues in the event Islamabad does not allow the team to tour India.
“Bilateral series is totally a different topic but in the World Cup teams from across the world will come and participate. 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 said, implying that it is up to Pakistan to decide whether to want to play the World T20 in India or not, leaving the ball firmly in Islamabad’s court.
The PCB have occasionally hinted that the team might withdraw from the tournament if Islamabad does not give the green signal.
The World T20 is scheduled to take place from March 8 to April 3, with the final to be held at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens.