Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board has asked ICC and BCCI to change the venue of the World T20 match against India from Dharamsala after its two-member security team expressed concern over current prevailing security situation.
"The PCB has asked the BCCI and ICC to shift the March 19 match with India from Dharamsala to either Kolkata or Mohali," a PCB official said.
The official said the BCCI had indicated to PCB that Mohali would not be the alternate venue since Pakistan was already playing two matches there and it could either be Kolkata or New Delhi. "The BCCI also has a problem staging the match in New Delhi because of court orders," the official added.
Also the departure of Pakistan team for India for the World T20 has been put on hold by the PCB. Chairman Shaharyar Khan said the Interior Ministry will decide today on the team's departure for New Delhi.
"Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan after going through the briefing of the security delegation that is in India will let us know future plans and team's departure," he said.
The Pakistan team was due to depart at noon on Wednesday from Lahore for New Delhi. Some players said that they had been told this plan was now on hold.
Another official in the board confirmed that Shaharyar after discussions with the Interior Ministry had informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India that the Pakistan government has advised the team against playing in Dharamsala.
Another source in the PCB told PTI that the security delegation which went to India including Dharamsala to inspect security arrangements for the Pakistan team had raised three main objections in its feedback to the Interior Ministry.
"One objection was that only low-grade security and government officials met with them in Dharamasala and they are not satisfied with the security plans laid out for the Pakistan team incase if there is a protest against the team," the source said.
"Another objection is that there were given no clear security plan for the Pakistani media and fans who will go to India for the event," he said.
The sixth edition of the World T20 championship kicked off yesterday in Nagpur with two qualifying matches being played between associate nations. The second round of the tournament, known as Super 10, will begin on 15th March, also in Nagpur.
The final of this edition of World T20 will be played at the Eden Gardens on 3rd April. This is the first time India is hosting World T20 tournament.
(with PTI inputs)
