LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan said on Monday there is no question of the country not playing in the World T20 but a written assurance of the players’ security by a senior Indian official is needed in order to give a final go ahead for the team’s departure.
Speaking to media representatives here, he said Pakistan would not send its team to participate in the tournament until a senior functionary of the Indian government gives a written assurance of complete and satisfactory provision of security to the Pakistani players and team management.
Khan welcomed the decision, announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC), to relocate the match between India and Pakistan from Dharamsala to Kolkata.
“We welcome the decision for moving the match from Dharamsala to Kolkata. There were pressure on us and there was a public opinion to ask ICC to shift the match from Dharamsala. So, it is a welcome step by ICC and BCCI,” the PCB chief said in a press briefing.
However, Shahryar added both men and women teams´ departure for India has been delayed and the teams will not be sent unless security of players is completely assured.
“The PCB has also today conveyed to ICC and BCCI that our government is expecting an assurance to Pakistan against specific threats to the Pakistan team from various political parties and groups during the tour. Pending this assurance and in accordance with the recommendation by the Security delegation, the PCB has decided to defer the departure of Pakistan men and women teams to India,” he added.
Khan had said on Tuesday that due to security concerns at Dharamsala other venues needed to be considered. ICC chief executive David Richardson said at a press conference earlier today that Pakistan-India match would now be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
“I have written to (ICC chairman Shashank Manohar) that if you want us to play somewhere else because of issues at Dharamsala we are willing to consider that,” the PCB chief had said.
“We have never refused to play.”
Khan said security was the responsibility of state governments in India with the central government unwilling to direct their state counterparts on what to do.
Virbhadra Singh, chief minister of the state government of Himachal Pradesh, where Dharamsala is located, told local media earlier this month there were concerns over whether they could provide adequate security for Pakistan´s team in Dharamsala.
Indian war veterans in Himachal Pradesh opposed hosting the Pakistan cricket team in Dharamsala.
The situation led Pakistan to send a delegation to review security at the northern Indian town, while delaying the departure of their men´s and women´s cricket teams.
"Safety and security of the event is of paramount importance to the ICC," the organisation´s chief executive David Richardson told reporters earlier today.
"It was a difficult decision."
Pakistan open their tournament on March 16 against a qualifying team in Kolkata before their match with India. They then face New Zealand on March 22 and Australia on March 25, with both of those matches in Mohali.
The tournament opened on Tuesday with qualifying matches before the main draw begins on March 15. The final will be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 3.
Just a face saving exercise after no one gave two hoots about the earlier boycott threat. One can easily predict the outcome of this security assessment by Pak security team. They will report back saying India has made adequate security arrangements for Pak team...& it's safe for the team to visit India...& Pak cricket team will show up on time!
where are you and those who gave thanks to you ? It seem your assessment went wrong
ab tou jana hi chahiye har soorat 
