No security concerns for Pakistan-origin players in India, says ECB’s security adviser

Reg Dickason dismisses worries for Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid ahead of five-match Test series

England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) security adviser Reg Dickason dismissed security concerns for Pakistan-origin players Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid in the squad during the five-match Test series in India.

Earlier, it was also reported that Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar has been withdrawn from the series due to security reasons, but an International Cricket Council (ICC) spokesperson denied the reports saying he was already nominated for the Australia-South Africa Test series.

“We have no real concerns, but we're certainly aware of the issues Aleem Dar has,” Dickason said. “I know it was reported that he wasn’t going, that he’d been pulled out, but according to the ICC he’s just been rostered at another event. However, Shiv Sena [a regional political party] had some issues with him and went to the Indian cricket board’s offices. So we’re certainly aware of that, but we don’t expect any real issues.”



The security advisor added: “I have spoken to Moeen and Adil, and they seem okay. They haven't expressed any doubts to me.”

Previously, ICC withdrew Dar from the last two ODIs between India and South Africa, stating at the time that the “incident in Mumbai where a group of extremists stormed into the BCCI office” was the reason for its decision.



The first Test between the two nations will be played in Rajkot from November 9.

Reg Dickason was quoted by ESPNCricinfo