Pakistan get government nod for World T20 participation in India

PCB’s Shaharyar Khan sought special arrangement for the team’s stay in India. (Source: AP)

The Pakistani government says it will allow the country’s cricket team to compete in the World Twenty20 in India next month.

The Pakistan Cricket Board sought government approval to travel to India and says “the permission has been given specifically” for the World Twenty20.

Pakistan has been placed in Group 2 and will be playing matches at Kolkata, Dharamsala and Chandigarh.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan says he has asked the International Cricket Council “to put in place special arrangements for the Pakistan cricket team while in India.”

Pakistan will not be playing any of its matches in the state of Maharashtra to avoid protests from Hindu extremist party Shiv Sena, which has in the past opposed India’s cricketing ties with Pakistan.

Anurag Thakur had assured that security would be foolproof for all the participating teams, including Pakistan, and no side should feel insecure about travelling to India.

“BCCI will organise the World Cup in the nicest possible way and will provide every team with highest protection.

Earlier also we have hosted many World Cups and international matches and I don’t think any country should feel insecure
in India,” Thakur had said when asked about Pakistan’s security worries.

The PCB had initially hinted that Pakistan might withdraw from the upcoming event if the Pakistan government did not permit them to tour India.

There were also reports that the PCB was also under pressure because of the ICC’s threat of legal action in case of a withdrawal from the event.

The matches of the tournament will be spread over seven Indian cities and Pakistan will play their league matches in Kolkata, Dharamsala and Mohali.