Summary BCCI expressed anger on Himachal CM for not giving clear stance into the matter.
KOLKATA (Web Desk) - The marquee India-Pakistan match of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 on March 19 is likely to be shifted from Dharamshala to the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, reported oneindia.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed anger on Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh for not giving clear stance regarding Pakistan team’s security and considered to change the venue.
Pakistani side is still not satisfied with the arrangements due to continuous warnings from Indian extremists as they threatened to dig out the pitch if green shirts play at Dharamshala Stadium.
An official confirmation from the ICC is awaited but according to top a BCCI representative, Kolkata has the "highest" chance as compared to other prospective venues like Mohali and Bengaluru.
"Logistically, and from security point of view, Kolkata is the ideal place for the match as they would not have to travel to Dharamshala... It s feasible from broadcasting point of view as they would not have to the cost for taking the expensive broadcasting kit to another venue," said a BCCI official.
Earlier, PCB had sent a letter to the ICC on Tuesday citing to shift the match from Dharamshala as the district government is facing a problem in hosting Pakistan-India World T20 game.
The PCB chief had put team’s departure to India on hold till the finalization of the venue.
On the other hand, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar presented security team’s report to Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif regarding safety arrangements in India for World Twenty20 tie due on March 19.
The report prepared by delegation that visited India to assess security said that the national team can face difficulties at Dharamshala due to threats.
Pakistan will play against India on March 19 in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. There has been some opposition in the state, including from ex-servicemen, on holding the match at the hill station. Pakistan will also play two matches in Mohali, Punjab - against New Zealand on March 22 and against Australia on March 25.
Moreover, PCB had announced final squad for WT20. Ahmed Shahzad was been picked up on the place of Khurram Manzoor while Khalid Latif replaced Iftekhar Ahmed.
The other players include captain Shahid Afridi, Sarfarz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Sami.
