PCB asks ICC to ensure foolproof security for Pak team in India

Karachi, Mar 24(ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ensure foolproof security for its cricketers as they play their World Cup semi-final match at Mohali in India on March 30.

Pakistan will encounter the winner of Thursday's quarterfinal match between India and Australia in the semifinal at Mohali, for a slot in the World Cup final match to be held at Mumbai on April 2.

"Given the threats made by the Shiv Sena party warning Pakistan about playing in Mumbai and also statements made by some other extremist elements, the board just wants to be sure everything is in place if the team has to play in India," the Daily Times quoted a reliable source, as saying.

He said the PCB had contacted the ICC and asked the governing body to ensure that Pakistan faced no problems playing in India.

Both countries have not played in any bilateral series since the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008. The Pakistan cricketers have also not played in the Indian Premier League after 2008.

"Pakistani players have not played in India since the first edition of the IPL in early 2008, so obviously the PCB wants to be sure the players are not uncomfortable going to India," the source said.

According to sources, Pakistan's foreign and interior ministries had already been in touch with their Indian counterparts to ensure proper security for the Pakistan players in the wake of their probability to play World Cup matches in India.

"The Indians have also issued visas to around 3000 Pakistanis wishing to travel to India for the World Cup semifinal and final, and obviously their security is also a concern for the Pakistan government," the source said.

The Pakistan hockey team played twice in New Delhi last year- in the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games- and faced no untoward incident, although some players on returning home complained of some sections of the crowd exerting a lot of pressure on the players.

Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi had also initially said that his team would prefer to play their quarterfinal or semifinal out of India because of the pressure involved in playing in front of the Indian crowd, but later retracted his statement, saying that Pakistan was willing to play at any venue, including India, as its main emphasis was on cricket and doing well on the field. (ANI)