T20 World Cup 2016: International Cricket Council Confident About India-Pakistan Match in Dharamsala
The T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan in Dharamsala is facing problem, Dave Richardson, International Cricket Council chief executive, admitted. He, however, added that the problems would be sorted in time
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: March 07, 2016 09:01 pm IST
Despite T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan in Dharamsala facing uncertainty, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday said it is confident of the marquee game going ahead as scheduled and has no plans of shifting the venue. (World T20: Pakistan Mull Pullout After Dharamsala Impasse, BCCI Promises Security For March 19 Tie vs India)
Besides, the world body is also not too concerned about the logistical issues faced by Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla ground. (ICC World Twenty20: Worried Pakistan Cricket Board Wants India to Make 'Public Statement' on Security)
The ICC said it has no intention to change the venues which were decided almost a year back. "Challenges in respect to those two venues, they are there. But we are dealing with those problems," Dave Richardson, ICC chief executive, said. (Board of Control for Cricket in India Hopeful of India-Pakistan World Twenty20 Match in Dharamsala)
"The venues were decided a year back and all arrangements are in place to stage the matches at those two venues. These challenges have reasons not due to fault of the BCCI or the ICC. But the fact is that we are dealing with these. and we are confident that the matches will proceed at those two venues."
A two-member security team from Pakistan has arrived in India on Monday to review the security situation ahead of the national side's visit to Kolkata, where they are scheduled to play their first game on March 16 against the winner of the Group A qualifier.
The visit comes amid controversy over the India and Pakistan match scheduled to be played in Dharamsala on March 19.
The fate of the match became uncertain after Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh wrote to the Home Ministry stating that the state government cannot provide security for the game in the wake of the recent terror attack on the Pathankot air base during which two soldiers of the state were martyred.
"The Indian government has shown a commitment to make sure that adequate security measures are in place at all the venues for all the teams," Richardson said.
'ICC working closely with BCCI and PCB'
He also said the ICC are working closely with the BCCI and PCB to sort out the issue.
"I can assure you that the BCCI and PCB are communicating, as is the ICC with both parties. We will make sure we do everything were can to make sure the event takes place at a safe and secure environment," Richardson said.
When asked whether the ICC would impose any fine or sanction on Pakistan if they pull out due to security concerns, Richardson quipped: "They are not going to pull out. Such a scenario will not arise and I am not a person who will speculate on things."
Besides Dharamsala, the matches at Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla were thrown into crisis after the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) failed to get various clearances from the local bodies.
'Confident about Delhi hosting games'
Asked about both issues, the ICC CEO said: "The speculation and uncertainty around venues are created by factors beyond our control. Because they have a reason in recent times, we find ourselves having to deal with it very close to the event which is not ideal but unfortunately we can't ignore them and we're dealing with it as best as we can.
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur also sounded optimistic about the two venues holding the World Twenty20 games.
He informed that the Himachal Pradesh government on Friday assured the state High Court that it would provide security for the March 19 India-Pakistan World T20 match in Dharamsala
"Both venues were allotted matches a year ago. The ICC or BCCI played no role. The state government in Hiamchal told the High Court that they would provide security," the BJP MP from Hamirpur said.
"In the court the state government representative clearly said the state govt will provide security to all the teams.' We have committed to give foolproof security to all the teams and India is capable of providing that. We want to make it a memorable tournament.
"At DDCA, all formalities would be over by tomorrow and all problems would be sorted out," he said.