Pakistan might leave for India early on Friday

Men in Green will play their first match on March 16 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team is expected to leave for India to participate in World T20 in the early hours of Friday via Dubai despite the deadlock between Indian and Pakistan government on matter of giving public assurance regarding security of the team.

It has been learnt by The Express Tribune that team has a tentative flight scheduled to leave from Lahore at 3:20 am.



Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already changed the venue of Pakistan-India World T20 clash from Dharamsala to Kolkata but Pakistan government want the Indian counterparts to state it publicly that team and fans traveling to India will be secure.

As the things stand, Pakistan will land in Dubai and from there they will fly to Kolkata.



PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan met the team today at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and urged them to focus on the Word T20.

"Pakistan team is likely to leave on Friday for Dubai and then to Kolkata to take part in the World T20," a PCB official confirmed to The Express Tribune.

"But all this can change if government issues some other instructions."

The tentative travel itinerary is also in knowledge of International Cricket Council(ICC).

Security risk for cricket team in India: Nisar

Meanwhile Interior Minister Nisar has said the government had realised there was a security risk for the national team to play in Dharamsala.

“The ICC took immediate notice and changed venue of the match on March 19 between Pakistan and India, so the first issue is now resolved,” he said.

"Until and unless clear guarantees on security come from the Indian government, unfortunately we are not in a position to decide sending the team," he said.

We want the national team to go to the event without fear and pressure such that they are able to play well, added Nisar.