Women’s World Cup: Cuttack tipped to host Pakistan matches
We will accept any decision regarding the venue, says PCB.
According to the official, all the Group B teams, which also include Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, will play in Cuttack. PHOTO: ICC
KARACHI:
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has moved Pakistan’s International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s World Cup matches from Mumbai following protests in the metropolis, according to a report.
ESPNcricinfo, quoting a BCCI official, reported that Pakistan will play their games in Cuttack, the largest city of the Indian state of Orissa. According to the official, all the Group B teams, which also include Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, will play their matches in Cuttack while Group A matches will be held in Mumbai.
Pakistan are scheduled to play their first game against Australia on January 31, the opening day of the tournament.
However, the report also mentioned that the Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) expressed ignorance about the development.
“Till now, neither ICC nor BCCI have contacted us, so it won’t be prudent on my part to comment right now,” said OCA president Ranjib Biswal.
The ICC has said the decision on having alternate venues was being worked out and was likely to be taken soon. The BCCI want to host the World Cup as per schedule despite the unrest and has been looking for alternate venues to orgainse the tournament.
Recently, the Gujarat Cricket Association refused to hold the tournament amid anti-Pakistan protests when they were approached by the BCCI to hold the event in Ahmedabad.
‘PCB will have no issues with venue’
Meanwhile, a PCB official said the board wasn’t informed about the change in venue.
“We are looking at the reports but we are not sure about this,” said the PCB official.
However, he mentioned that the PCB would accept any decision from the ICC regarding the venues.
“In fact, we ourselves have asked the ICC for a change in venue. As far as the players’ safety is concerned, it’s a matter of the host country to provide fool-proof security. We just want the security of our team otherwise we have no issues in playing at any venue.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2013.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has moved Pakistan’s International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s World Cup matches from Mumbai following protests in the metropolis, according to a report.
ESPNcricinfo, quoting a BCCI official, reported that Pakistan will play their games in Cuttack, the largest city of the Indian state of Orissa. According to the official, all the Group B teams, which also include Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, will play their matches in Cuttack while Group A matches will be held in Mumbai.
Pakistan are scheduled to play their first game against Australia on January 31, the opening day of the tournament.
However, the report also mentioned that the Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) expressed ignorance about the development.
“Till now, neither ICC nor BCCI have contacted us, so it won’t be prudent on my part to comment right now,” said OCA president Ranjib Biswal.
The ICC has said the decision on having alternate venues was being worked out and was likely to be taken soon. The BCCI want to host the World Cup as per schedule despite the unrest and has been looking for alternate venues to orgainse the tournament.
Recently, the Gujarat Cricket Association refused to hold the tournament amid anti-Pakistan protests when they were approached by the BCCI to hold the event in Ahmedabad.
‘PCB will have no issues with venue’
Meanwhile, a PCB official said the board wasn’t informed about the change in venue.
“We are looking at the reports but we are not sure about this,” said the PCB official.
However, he mentioned that the PCB would accept any decision from the ICC regarding the venues.
“In fact, we ourselves have asked the ICC for a change in venue. As far as the players’ safety is concerned, it’s a matter of the host country to provide fool-proof security. We just want the security of our team otherwise we have no issues in playing at any venue.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2013.