Sports

Pakistan gets go-ahead for participation in World Twenty20

"Chaudhry Nisar has given permission to Pakistan's team to play in India," says PCB committee member Najam Sethi

Sports Desk March 11, 2016

PHOTO: AFP

Head of Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) Executive Committee Najam Sethi said on Friday the interior minister had given a green signal to the teams to visit India for the World T20.

The interior minister "Chaudhry Nisar has given permission to Pakistan's team to play in India," he told reporters after a meeting with the minister.

"An hour ago our High Commissioner Abdul Basit met the Indian Secretary and the assurances were given."

In this handout photograph on March 11, 2016, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar (L) speaks with PCB official Najam Sethi during a meeting in Islamabad. PHOTO: AFP

He said assurances from chief minister West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, Indian home secretary and the Indian home minister played a crucial role in taking the final decision of sending the men's and women's teams to India.

"We received communication from the ICC and BCCI. We received a letter from the chief minister of Bengal and the police chief," he said.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan also addressed the media in Lahore, saying the team will leave for India tonight.

"We have missed the warm up match against the local Indian team but we will play Sri Lanka on Monday," said Shaharyar. "Shashank Manohar and David Richardson were worried if Pakistan will not participate but they will be happy now since the team is going."

"I asked all the players if they were willing to go to India despite security fears. I gave them the option to step back. They all said they are ready to go," he added. "I also had a conversation with nearly 10 media outlets in India and they said that we were convinced by our stance on security."

Shaharyar added that the "morale of the team is high. They could not perform well in the Asia Cup that is why they are motivated to perform well in the World T20."

Pakistani High Commissioner meets home secretary

Earlier, Pakistani High Commissioner in India Abdul Basit met the home secretary of India and discussed the security to be provided with Pakistan teams.

At the end of the meeting, he was quoted by Express News as saying that he had sent the recommendations to the Pakistan government.

I would not divulge anything, I will submit my recommendation to Islamabad: Pak High Commsnr Abdul Basit #WT20 pic.twitter.com/kIOW8IpCDK
— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2016

BCCI had communicated with me, I assured them of security-CM Mamata Banerjee on India-Pakistan match #WT20
— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2016

Pakistan hiding fear of defeat with security excuses: Congress leader

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said on Friday that Pakistan was making security excuses just to hide its fear of losing at the hands of India in the March 19 World T20 match.

"If they don't want to come to India fearing defeat then it is a different matter,” Tharoor was quoted as saying by ANI news. “But security for them in this country and in West Bengal is at its possible best.”

"Mamata Banerjee has said that she will guarantee 100 percent security of the team so I don't really know what is Pakistan waiting for now," added Tharoor. "So, besides waiting for a reply from the central government, they should trust the authority of Mamata Banerjee since the match is to be played in Kolkata.”

PCB receives written assurance

The PCB on Friday received in writing the assurance that the Pakistani men’s and women’s teams will receive foolproof security during their stay in India, reported Express News.

The written assurance came from chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, who earlier tweeted that they were happy to host Pakistan versus India match in Kolkata.

World T20 in India: Pakistan wants safety guarantees

We are very very happy to host #IND - #PAK #T20WorldCup match in #Kolkata. All are always welcome to our beautiful city
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 9, 2016

The PCB said they have sent all the documents of negotiation with the Board of Control for Cricket in India to the interior ministry.

The letter received from the International Cricket Council has also been sent to the ministry.

Security concerns: Pakistan-India T20 tie shifted to Kolkata

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said his country's stance that all the visiting nations including Pakistan will be provided security during the World T20.

"Anyone coming to India will be provided security," said Rajnath as quoted by India Today. "There is no doubt about it."

From Dharamsala to Kolkata: Timeline of events

Earlier, the venue of the match was changed from Dharamsala to Kolkata because of the report presented by the three-member delegation which went to India to check the security conditions in place for the Pakistani teams.

Meanwhile, on Thursday the Anti-Terrorist Front of India (ATFI) threatened to dig up the pitch of Eden Gardens, reported the Press Trust of India.

Viresh Shandilya, the president of ATFI, said that the group would not allow the Men in Green to play in any part of the country. “We will not allow Pakistan to play cricket anywhere in India at any cost,” said Shandilya.

COMMENTS (23)

Somebody | 8 years ago | Reply And that country was banned for playing in, then why not same can be done with India? Yes, dear Indian, it's called discrimination!@Hari:

Lunch box | 8 years ago | Reply But that country is not claiming anything. On the other hand Indians are claiming to be clean. See the difference?@Hari:

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Hari | 8 years ago | Reply @Lunch box: We all know in which country international players were shot at and riddled with bullets!

Sunny | 8 years ago | Reply I am very disappointed by Pakistan government and PCB. Pakistan should not send it's teams to India. India is an unsafe country with active militant groups. I am going to boycott watching all WT20 matches on TV and web. It's a little thing, I can do as a patriot Pakistani citizen and a little fan cricket.

Bharatiya Australian | 8 years ago | Reply Welcome Pakistan team...That's like a sportsman spirit...There are definitely some sane people in PCB and Pak government which has ensured Pak team will participate irrespective of majority public who were against them participating using security as an excuse probably due to Pak team being in shambles. Succumbing to these negative rhetoric by the PCB and Pak government would have been disastrous. And Thanks to HP CM (Congress), BCCI and Indian government (BJP) to have given due importance and respect to the sensitivities of the protesting Ex Service men and their families whose protest stems from a genuine concerns as our Soldiers (their Families) have been martyred by the terrorists from across borders..By deciding to shift, these concerns have been respected...Even though there are political differences and dramas, but if you put everything together it is a very Balanced Decision to shift to Kolkata as conducting successful world cup is also our national pride while we cannot ignore other concerns by Ex service men. Thanks to Mamta Banerjee CM (Trinamool congress) WB as well. Eventually Democracy won.

Amna baig | 8 years ago | Reply Under what law is ch Nisar giving permission? Aren't we giving too much attention to this psycho? He should become chairman pcb given his interest in cricket.

Lunch box | 8 years ago | Reply @Prada: Open your eyes and see the truth for once. Let me remind you, in which country the pitch was dug up before the match? Against which team and what was the venue? In which country the stand was lit up with fire when Indian team was about to lose the match? Google it and stick the answers in front of your bed so that you won't forget next time.

Komal S | 8 years ago | Reply Welcome Pakistan Cricket Team and Best Wishes.

Ali | 8 years ago | Reply What dumb wit is sharyar. Our boys did not perform well in asia cup thats why they want to perform better in wt20. Is he on drugs.

Dash | 8 years ago | Reply We will defeat India In India... In Shaa Allah :)

someone | 8 years ago | Reply PCB does it again. Another U turn. Tail under the legs again.

Bhim Husain Khalsa | 8 years ago | Reply I Think It was wrong on part of Himachal Government to deny permission in forst place - it is internal politics not real threat - but Pakistan stretched it too far by raising threat bogey - ultimately there is no new assurance, when a state government provides assurance, that includes DGP and ICC has always been giving approval - so what changed ? Pakistan cricket had support of average Indian to start with but they made a fool of themselves by taking it too far and eventually had to eat the crow!!!!!!

Prada | 8 years ago | Reply Did anybody seriously think Pakistani players will be in danger in India?? This is just political bickering and nothing else. India has many solid, reliable institutions that won't bend to rhetoric.

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply There are few miscreants on both sides who didn't want Pakistan to participate. Pakistan will not only play, it will win too. The only problem is Afridi. He should have been fired

Rupesh | 8 years ago | Reply It's okay if Pakistan won't participate.

Salman Ahmad | 8 years ago | Reply @Aakashvaani: Dude but you are always welcome in Pakistan and even on it's newspaper websites :)

Ali | 8 years ago | Reply It will be very sad if they let team visit India under such circumstances. Najam and Shehreyar Singh are in full swing to pay back their masters in India. Hpefully the common sense will prevail.

Nonsense | 8 years ago | Reply Complete and utter nonsense on part of both countries. How immature and childish if Indian politicians to act like this and what a mockery the Pakistanis are making of national pride!

Srivastava I | 8 years ago | Reply The bluff of not playing in WC has been called. A face saver has been offered by the Chief Minister of Bengal. Pak politicians have confirmed their status as jokers. Now it's time to get on with the more serious business of WC cricket.

Hari | 8 years ago | Reply Good, PCB received my letter congratulating Pakistan on Asia cup performance. Never thought they would acknowledge it in press.!

Aakashvaani | 8 years ago | Reply Don't come. You're not welcome!

Sam | 8 years ago | Reply Lol, despite open threats.. PCB doesn't have guts to boycott this wc in India.....now India will earn millions of dollars profit by hosting Pak's 5 matches....and PCB will remain empty handed with no series visit from India

Islamic Thekedar | 8 years ago | Reply Face saving for Pakistan and PCB. Mamata Banerjee, CM of West Bengal, giving written assurance for Kolkata. Is she giving also assurance for Mohali, Bangalore, chennai, which are not in the state of West Bengal. Would Pakistan be asking for written assurance from the CMs of the states wherever they will play. Security is a state matter in India. OR they will fly back without it. Any way enjoy if you want to continue till you are there in the tournament. Good Luck!

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