Snooker series to resume once situation in Karachi is safe. PHOTO: FILE
The Indian snooker team was due to reach Karachi later this week for the series scheduled from March 7-10. However, the twin blasts in Abbas Town that shook Karachi on March 3 and sent law and order situation in the city reeling, made conditions unsafe for the tour.
Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) President Alamgir Shaikh said, “Due to security concerns, the Indian Travel Advisory Board has barred the Indian snooker team to visit Pakistan temporarily.”
"It was not possible for any country to play in Karachi after the deadly blast and we accepted India's request to hold the series until the situation gets better in the city," Shaikh told AFP.
The neighbours have not played a snooker series since 2005, when India visited. All sporting ties were frozen after the deadly attacks on Mumbai in 2008, which were blamed on Pakistan-based militants.
Cricketing ties were revived after a gap of five years when Pakistan toured India in December-January for a short limited-overs series.
Despite the interruption, Shaikh praised India for agreeing to the series.
Snooker federations from both countries have decided to announce new dates once the situation is safer.
COMMENTS (3)
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Players have families........They must not be considered Kurbani
Why dont they just play in Islamabad or Rawalpindi?
Very unfortunate. Whenever there is big sport event comes to Pakistan, conspiracies begin.