2015 World Twenty20: Mumbai to give up semi-final hosting to avoid Pakistan visit

Decision being pondered over owing to possibility of Pakistan qualifying for the last-fours

The Mumbai Cricket Association are set to request the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allot them the India vs Australia match rather than hosting one of the semi-finals during the 2016 World Twenty20.

The decision comes in order to avoid a tricky situation given the possibility Pakistan qualifies for the last-fours. The semi-finals are to be held at the Wankhede Stadium and the MCA fears Hindu right-wing party Shiv Sena may once against protest against Pakistan.

Last month, during a meeting between PCB and BCCI officials at the Wankhede Stadium, Shiv Sena workers stormed into the office forcing the meeting to be called off.



Reportedly the decision was taken during the MCA’s managing committee meeting held on Sunday. According to the proposed World T20 schedule that the BCCI has sent to the ICC for approval, the match in question was to be held in Chennai with Mumbai and Delhi to host the two semifinals.

Chennai has already been ruled out as a venue for India matches and a cloud still hangs over whether the MA Chidambaram Stadium will even play host during the World T20 owing to the issue regarding the three disputed stands. That leaves the India-Australia game in limbo presently, and according to a BCCI official the MCA’s request could well be obliged.



“If the MCA requests us then we have no problem in alloting them the India vs Australia game. It will be the best scenario for all of us, including the MCA,” he said.

Meanwhile, the India-Pakistan league match will be played in Dharamsala stadium. Pakistan will not be playing any of their league matches in Maharasthra owing to the security risks to the team.

“Having knockouts here could lead to a law and order issue if Pakistan manages to reach the semis. Pawar has said that he will be speaking with BCCI president Shashank Manohar on this matter and instead of hosting knockouts, the MCA will express their desire to host the league encounter against Australia,” an MCA official explained.



However, there is still one impediment. The Pakistan Cricket Board has been very strict when it came to making a trip to India for the December series. Pakistan team will be asking for permission from the government to play in the premier tournament next year and with the recent events where Shiv Sena protested against allowing Pakistanis in India, the Shahid Afridi-led team might face some hindrance in their trip.

The article originally appeared on Indian Express