PCB puts women team's departure on hold amid security concerns in India

Interior Minister says government will send a security team next week to survey situation on ground

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan said the women’s team departure has been put on hold due to the security situation in India.

“Their [women’s team] departure has now been put on hold as we are in touch with the government regarding the security issues in India," Khan said.

The 81-year-old also said that the departure of the women’s team has been put on hold until the PCB receives written assurance about the security of the Pakistan team in India.



Earlier on Saturday, Pakistan Interior Minister said the government would send a security team to India next week to survey the situation on the ground before the country’s cricket squad travels to play against their arch-rival during an upcoming India-Pakistan World T20 tie.

The security team will leave for India on March 7 once the Indian government approves the visit. Director FIA Lahore, Usman Anwar would head the committee, he added.

Pakistan are scheduled to play their matches in Kolkatta, Dharamsala and Mohali during the World T20′s first round that kicks off on March 8 and ends on April 3.



Islamabad have already voiced concerns about security in India, saying there were specific threats from Hindu activists who forced the cancellation of a meeting between cricket officials from the two countries in Mumbai last October.

“A three-member security team will depart for India on Monday to look into the security situation,” Nisar told a press conference in Islamabad.

“Our team will be sent to India only if the initial report is positive,” the minister added.

The South Asian adversaries have not played a bilateral series for more than three years amid diplomatic tensions.

Those were worsened by a January attack on India’s Pathankot airbase, which came days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise peacemaking visit to Pakistan in December.

The article originally appeared on First Post