Pakistan still willing to play in Dharamsala

PCB says it is not considering asking for a change in venue as long as security is provided

KARACHI:

Despite claims from the Himachal Pardesh government that they won’t be providing any security to the Pakistan team, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is willing to play their World T20 match against hosts India at the Dharamsala Stadium and has not requested for another venue.



There were rumours that the board might look for a change in venue but that is not the case for now, confirmed the PCB spokesperson. The board has also written an official letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) requesting them to look into the security measures that will be put in place for the high-voltage encounter.

A series of statements from Indian politicians have once again flared up the issue of Pakistan playing in Himachal Pardesh, with chief minister Virbahadur Singh categorically stating that all teams, except for Pakistan, will be provided security in the state.

PCB spokesperson Amjad Hussain Bhatti stated the board is in contact with the government, the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on the issue.

“We have written to the ICC to tell them that they must ensure foolproof security is provided to the Pakistan team. If they do, we’ll have no problems playing in Dharamsala,” Bhatti told The Express Tribune.

“Our government has given us some security guidelines for the clash and we only want the ICC to make sure that those measures are put in place to avoid any incident,” he added. “We are very much looking forward to playing at the venue which was selected for us, and we’re very hopeful that the BCCI and the Indian government will do everything possible for the security of our side.”



Meanwhile, another PCB official who wished to remain anonymous stated that while he cannot rule out the chances of playing at another venue, it is very much unlikely that a change will be made since that would mean the entire travel itinerary would have to be amended, and fans will face big problems.

“For now there is neither any thought nor an offer of playing at a neutral venue but we can’t rule out the possibility going forward,” he said. “However, it would be very difficult as thousands of people have already booked their tickets and accommodations.”

The PCB official criticised the way politics is being mixed into cricket. “Whatever statements are being given by politicians are for political reasons alone, and I feel the match will go ahead as planned,” he said.

‘Will go to any extent to see match held at Dharamsala’

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur on Wednesday threatened to ‘go to any extent’, which included quitting his post as Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association president, if obstacles were placed in holding the match at the picturesque venue.

“I can go to any extent to see that Himachal Pradesh does not get a blot for its inability to hold a match,” said Thakur, according to The Indian Express. “The match was allotted to the state under pressure from the ICC, which made the PCB agree for playing in India. By not allowing the match, we will only vindicate Pakistan’s stand that India was hostile to the team.
Let’s be hospital, which is character of Himachal Pradesh.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2016.

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