Pakistan receive security assurances from West Bengal Government

The Pakistan v India fixture has taken yet another interesting turn of events. Reports that came in earlier this morning suggest that the PCB and the Pakistani government are to have yet another series of talks before boarding the plane to India despite the West Bengal government and the Indians promising full security for the visiting Pakistan team.

The PCB has reportedly received a letter from the West Bengal government assuring foolproof security for the visiting Pakistan side. The letter signed by Mamata Banerjee reads that maximum security will be provided for the visiting Pakistan team. Concerned with security arrangements in India, Pakistan had demanded security assurance before letting their teams fly out to India.

Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of State for Home Affairs has said that security is in place for all teams but no written assurance will be given to Pakistan. “We are there to protect all the teams who are participating in the World Cup and it is our obligation and sovereign duty to secure everybody who is in Indian territory. It is our duty to provide security to each team. CISF will be the provided security at the venue,” Rijiju said.

An unidentified official of the BCCI has said that the ball is now in the court of Kolkata and that the BCCI would have no say in the organization of the event.

“Shaharyar Khan wrote an e-mail requesting the match be shifted either to Kolkata or Mohali-based on the statements made by Himachal Pradesh chief minister on the security. As per his request, we moved the match to Kolkata. Our job ends there. Now it is for Pakistan to decide whether they want to participate or not,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the prospect of the Indo-Pak battle in Himalaya’s own lap has consistently been threatened by the Shiv Sena. Also the state’s Chief Minister had stated he will not provide security for the match.

The BCCI was forced to shift the match and Anurag Thakur lashed out at the people who are responsible for polarising cricket.