Pakistan women's cricket team to arrive in India, play in Cuttack: Sources

New Delhi:  After days of speculation on their safety, it has been decided that Pakistan women's cricket team will come to India and that their matches will be played in Cuttack.

It has been learnt that the team from across the border will be based in Cuttack and that Group B games will be played here. Group A matches will continue to be hosted by the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. The tournament begins January 31.

Late Friday evening, Orissa Cricket Association in a release said that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials and tournament director - Suru Nayak - will arrive to discuss the arrangements at the Barabati Stadium, on January 22.

BCCI had earlier said that adequate measures to provide security will be put into place. "We would provide security to Women's World Cup matches in India.  We are in the process of speaking to respective state governments," said Rajiv Shukla, Vice President, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Border conflict between India and Pakistan in the last two weeks had resulted in security concerns for the women's team. Groups like Shiv Sena had threatened disruptions in any sporting tournament which featured Pakistan players. As a result, eight hockey players included in various teams featuring in Hockey India League were sent back home.

BCCI in its executive committee meeting on Tuesday, had written to ICC and has asked the international body to take a call. While some said that Pakistan Cricket Board has expressed a desire to have the tournament in South Africa instead of India, the same could not be confirmed.