Pak proposes to play World T20 at neutral venues amidst security concerns

There appears to be a serious concern among the Pakistan cricket fraternity about sending their team to India for the upcoming World T20.

Shaharyar Khan has confirmed that the possibility of Pakistan playing their World Twenty20 matches at neutral venues had been discussed at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting in Dubai last week. ESPNcricinfo understands that the PCB will write a letter later this month to seek the government’s stance on the team visiting India.

“I made it clear we have to see what our government says because the Indian Board has not played a bilateral series against us in December because their government didn’t give them clearance”, he added.

“They are not general threats, like Australia had in Bangladesh and they did not send their team for the Under-19 World Cup”, Khan said. “Since it’s an ICC event and not a bilateral series we have to play it but if the decision [by the government] is negative then maybe the ICC could say that our matches be held in neutral venues in Sri Lanka or United Arab Emirates, and we will be ready for that”.

In October a year ago, barely hours before ex-Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri’s book launch in Mumbai, former journalist Sudheendra Kulkarni, the main organiser of the event, was attacked with black paint by some Shiv Sena activists.

“But even that proposal was not possible later on when the Indian board said it had not got government clearance”, the source said.

“The PSL is absolutely a launching pad for Pakistan youngsters, some of the benefits they get by mixing with overseas players and gain from their experience and they also get confidence by sharing the same nets and dressing room”, said Flower.

Here in Dubai for the entire period of the PSL, Richards who is a role model for all batsmen thinks Pakistan has the potential to be on top of the cricketing world if its players are well looked after and provided proper facilities. The semi-final venue could change if Delhi is unable to host World T20 games. Pakistani artistes have not been allowed to perform in some parts of India. “There are more chances of attacks on cricketers than on swimmers and players of other games”, he said.

Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Gul getting into rhythm at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) may have been cause for great celebration for the two players.