Pakistan team will fly to India on January 26. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The International Cricket Council (ICC) shifted Pakistan’s matches from Mumbai to Cuttack following threats by the right-wing Shiv Sena party. The tournament is to be held from January 31 to February 17.
“ICC is responsible for providing security to Pakistan women’s team and we have confidence on the ICC and we are in touch with them over the issue,” Ashraf told reporters in the city of Gujranwala.
Despite the change in venue, two other right-wing parties – Bajrang Dal and Kalinga Sena – have also threatened to disrupt Pakistan’s matches in Cuttack. But Ashraf said he is confident that the ICC will handle the situation.
Pakistan team will fly to India on January 26.
“I think sports and politics should not be mixed and it’s disappointing when such issues come up,” said Ashraf.
Tensions between India and Pakistan were heightened early this month by a series of cross-border exchanges along the Line of Control (LoC). The two countries had recently revived their bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan team crossing the border to play two Twenty20 and three one-day internationals - their first tour of India in five years.Ashraf hoped bilateral ties will continue.
“India agreed to the tour after our persuasion and I hope the ties will continue,” said Ashraf.
Jaipur Literature Festival
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also warned that Pakistani writers should not attend Jaipur Literature Festival, Times of India reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, the Pakistani authors including Jamil Ahmad and Mohammed Hanif attended the event last year but because of the recent cross-border conflict, BJP has decided to oppose their presence.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2013.
COMMENTS (5)
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It is time PCB should ask the team to return from India, labeling it as a terrorist country who cannot provide proper facilities to their guests because of the threats of terrorist. Whole world is boycotting Pakistan for being terrorist now come the real face of India. The very country who blames Pakistan for every terrorist act is now first forced to change the venue of the matches and then no hotel in India is ready to provide accommodation to the guests of the Indian nation for the most important of the event of women cricket.
@ss: You know India is not a country of sane people- why did PCB agree to send their team in the first place?
@Thor :
:D Nice one.
@ss: To Pakistan???
ICC should shift this event to any other country where sane ppl live.