India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup: Match Shifted From Dharamsala to Kolkata -- Ten Developments

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced that the March 19 India-Pakistan match has been moved from Dharamsala to Kolkata for security reasons. The Pakistan Cricket Board has delayed the departure of both the men's and women's teams.

1) Pakistan are expecting an assurance against specific threats from various political parties and groups. 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's teams to India.

2) India-Pakistan's World Twenty20 match on March 19 will go ahead, but in a different venue. While earlier it was supposed to be held at Dharamsala, now it's going to be held in Kolkata owing to security concerns raised by Pakistan.

3) Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faces no immediate punishment due to the last-minute change in venue. "ICC has not lost its faith in India as host. Security of players is of prime concern. ICC hasn't thought of punishing BCCI," Richardson said. 

4) In Himachal Pradesh, former servicemen have been protesting against the match, alleging that it hurts the sentiments of the families of soldiers of the state killed in battle against Pakistan or in operations against terrorists from Pakistan-based terror groups.

5) News agency Press Trust of India (PTI) has this morning quoted a top official of the Indian cricket board or BCCI as saying that the match is likely to be shifted could be shifted to Kolkata. He said the Bengal capital has the "highest" chance compared to other prospective venues like Mohali and Bengaluru, PTI reported.

6) A three-member Pakistan team that visited Dharamsala to assess security arrangements has reportedly told the government that it is not satisfied with the plans made for both the team and Pakistani fans who will attend the match, news agency Press Trust of India reported quoting PCB officials.

7) BJP lawmaker Anurag Thakur, who heads the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Board has been pushing for the match to be held as scheduled in Dharamsala. "I think the state government has to decide whether they can hold it or not," he said, adding that not holding the match "will send a wrong message about India and Himachal."

8) The Pakistan government had initially granted permission to the country's cricket board PCB to play in India, but decided to put the visit on hold as the security concerns were raised.

9) From Delhi, the Pakistani team is scheduled to fly to Kolkata, where it will hold an open media session and will play a warm-up games against Bengal on March 12 and Sri Lanka on March 14.

10) Pakistan are scheduled to play their first match of the World T20 on March 16 against a Qualifier at the Eden Gardens.