ICC Could Fine PCB if Pakistan Pulls Out of WT20: Shahryar

Shahryar Khan said on Wednesday that he is waiting for approval of government to attend T-20 World Cup that is going to be held in India.

Assuming that both Bangladesh and Afghanistan fulfill expectations and join the Super 10 stage of the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup, the Kolkata Cricket Association has said that it will house both teams along with Pakistan in the same hotel facility, allowing for tighter security around all three squads.

Pakistan Cricket Board is awaiting government go ahead to travel for the mega-event starting march 8.

“All teams taking part in the second round of the World T20 can make changes to their squads until March 8”, said the official.

But a reliable source in the PCB told PTI that the government was likely to clear the tour to India.

In addition to the Kiwis, Steve Smith’s side will also face India, Pakistan and a qualifying team (from Bangladesh, the Netherlands, Ireland or Oman) in Group 2 of the “Super 10” phase of the tournament.

“We have genuine concerns and past events in India show we have genuine reason to be careful”.

Earlier this year the Cricket Australia (CA) refused to send their Under-19 team to Bangladesh to compete in the ICC Under-19 World Cup amid security issues. “The Prime Minister’s secretariat has said they are reviewing the situation and will let us know soon”, he added.

India will kickstart their preparations for the ICC World Twenty20 2016 with a warm-up game against West Indies, the 2012 champions, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 10.

The security threat arises only from Kolkata.

Khan said there have been incidents recently which suggested that there are indeed Pakistan-specific threats.

The International Cricket Council has confirmed the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup schedule, with Australia to meet the West Indies in a warm-up match. “There are more chances of attacks on cricketers than on swimmers and players of other games”.