I fear Pakistan players could refuse to tour India for World T20: Zaheer Abbas

World T20 is scheduled to be held in India in March-April. (Source: Reuters)

Citing the incident of Shiv Sena activists storming the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai protesting against the resumption of bilateral cricket series between the arch-rivals, the ICC President Zaheer Abbas on Monday said he feared for Pakistan players’ security during the World T20 in India next year.

The much-anticipated talks between BCCI President Shashank Manohar and his Pakistan counterpart Shahryar Khan was on Monday cancelled after Shiv Sena protested against a possible Indo-Pak series in the UAE in December.

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“Pakistan and India cricket authorities must work it out, otherwise I fear the Pakistan players could also refuse to tour India for the upcoming World T20 Cup, citing security concerns,” former Test captain Abbas told a news channel.

“I don’t know what the environment will be when the World T20 is held in India but if this situation persists, obviously there will be extra pressure on our players,” he added.

The Twenty20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in India in March-April.

A three-member delegation of the PCB — Shahryar, the chairman of the Executive Committee Najam Sethi and chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad — are presently in India to meet the BCCI officials on Indo-Pak cricketing ties.

Earlier, Zaheer had told the Pakistani media that politics and sports should be kept apart and the arch-rivals should play at a neutral venue in December to help reduce tensions between the two countries.