NEW DELHI: The World Twenty20 match between arch rivals India and Pakistan has been shifted from the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala at the last minute after Pakistan expressed security concerns, organisers said Wednesday.
International Cricket Council Chief Executive David Richardson announced that the hotly awaited clash on March 19 would be shifted to Kolkata in eastern India, hosts of the World T20 which kicked off this week.
"The safety and security of the event is of paramount importance to the ICC and we have taken into consideration the concerns shared with us by our security advisors as well as the Pakistan Cricket Board," Richardson told a press conference in New Delhi.
But it was unclear whether Pakistan would travel to India to take part in the tournament even after the venue switch, with its cricket board saying it was still awaiting security assurances from the Indian government.
"The team's departure - men and women - will remain pending until the Indian government gives assurances... Once we get assurances from India then we will ask our government for clearance," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan told a press conference in Lahore.
Khan did not give a deadline for the assurances.
Pakistan had delayed their departure for neighbouring India earlier Wednesday citing concerns about threats from Hindu religious extremists against the team.
Pakistan sent a security assessment team to India on Monday after voicing repeated concerns about arrangements for the month-long tournament.
Richardson said he was now "hopeful" that Pakistan would take part. "We have just conveyed our decision to Pakistan and we are very hopeful they will come," he said.
Pakistan are due to play their opening match against a first-round qualifier in Kolkata on March 16.
They had been set to meet India on March 19 in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh state, where locals have objected to the staging of the match and threatened to hold protests against their neighbours.
Last week state chief minister Virbhadra Singh caused a stir by refusing to provide security for the game, prompting the PCB to demand the match be shifted to a new venue.
India-Pakistan showdowns usually draw hundreds of millions of television viewers, making it the biggest box office attraction in the sport.
But diplomatic tensions have meant that the two teams have not played any bilateral series for more than three years, and their rivalry is restricted to multi-national tournaments such as the World T20.
Fans would be given a full refund to the Dharamsala match or a ticket to watch the one in Kolkata, Richardson said.
He said the decision to switch the venue was not unprecedented, adding that he was confident of a successful tournament.
"ICC has not lost faith in India. There are huge logistical challenges. There are 59 matches in total across eight venues," he said.
"India is a big and complicated country in many respects. There are challenges with every ICC event. It's not unprecedented."
India-Pakistan T20 match shifted over security worries
India-Pakistan T20 match shifted over security worries
Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah fall behind in title race as points dropped against Al-Fateh
- The Knights of the East move onto 44 points after 1-1 draw, six behind leaders Al-Hilal
- Julian Quiñones nets 18th goal of the season to move second in goal rankings
RIYADH: Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli will breathe a sigh of relief after Al-Fateh held Al-Qadsiah to a 1-1 draw at the culmination of Matchday 21 in the Saudi Pro League. Al-Qadsiah now sit three points adrift of Al-Ahli, five behind Al-Nassr and six behind Al-Hilal.
Al-Fateh, who continue to rise up the table after a difficult start to the season, entered the encounter with a set of changes made by José Manuel Gomes. Looking to counter Brendan Rodgers’ 5-3-2, the visitors set up in a similar formation, with Sofiane Bendebka operating higher up the pitch to press Julian Weigl.
The match began at a frantic pace, with two goals arriving in quick succession. Al-Qadsiah’s right flank has continued to be a target for opposition sides, with the space behind Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat exposing Jehad Thekri to repeated one-on-one situations.
Naif Masoud dribbled his way into the box before releasing Wesley Delgado down his left. The Cape Verde international squared for Matías Vargas, who finished with precision past Koen Casteels in the eighth minute.
Shortly after, Al-Qadsiah made their way back into the game. While Abu Al-Shamat’s marauding runs can leave space for opposition wingers, his attacking contributions remain a vital part of Al-Qadsiah’s play. A through ball from a tight angle found Julian Quiñones, who finished to equalize and make his 14th goal contribution in 10 games.
Despite the quick response, Al-Qadsiah struggled to find a way back into the game. Fernando Pacheco stood firm in Al-Fateh’s goal, making four saves on the night, as the hosts fired 19 attempts across the 90 minutes.
A final attempt for Al-Qadsiah came in the closing moments of the game, when Nacho found space inside the box, only for Al-Fateh’s defense to close him down and deny a clear shot at goal.
Brendan Rodgers remains unbeaten since taking charge at Al-Qadsiah, as the Northern Irishman led Al-Qadsiah to eight victories and three draws in his 11 matches at the helm. They face NEOM next in a bid to revitalize their title charge.
Elsewhere, surprise package of the season Al-Taawoun continued a difficult run of form, dropping points in a 1-1 draw to Al-Khaleej. Meanwhile, Al-Kholood completed the double over Al-Shabab, with Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa once again proving decisive by scoring a 78th-minute winner in a 1-0 victory.
The Saudi Pro League takes its first five-day break since the league’s return from hiatus in December, with Matchday 22 getting underway on Thursday. As the title race tightens, Al-Ahli travel to Riyadh to face Al-Shabab, while Al-Hilal host Al-Ettifaq on Friday. Al-Nassr conclude the round on Saturday as they make their way to Al-Hasa to face Al-Fateh.
