ICC 2016 World T20: India-Pakistan match moved amid security concern
Wednesday 9 March 2016 20:26, UK
The upcoming ICC World Twenty20 game between India and Pakistan has been moved from Dharamsala to Kolkata due to security concerns.
The match, originally due to be held at the HPCA Stadium on March 19, has been moved to Kolkata's Eden Gardens after members of the Pakistan delegation raised concerns about their side's safety in Dharamsala.
The Pakistan Cricket Board wrote to the International Cricket Council's chief executive David Richardson on Tuesday requesting an alternative venue for the match.
"The decision has been taken following consultation with the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), the relevant state associations, the ICC and BCCI security consultant and other relevant authorities," said the former South Africa cricketer, at press conference on Wednesday.
"The decision to relocate the match has been made for security reasons. The concerns initially arose following alleged public comments recently reported by the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, warning of demonstration and attempts to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the match.
Live ICC World T20 Cricket
"Our concerns relate both to uncertainty as to the level of those threats as well as the level of commitment to implement any security plan developed to mitigate such threats."
Hosts India and Pakistan face each other in Group Two, which also includes Australia, New Zealand and a qualifier.
All of Pakistan and India's other Group Two fixtures are due to be played at their original venues.
Sky Sports is the only place you can watch all 35 games in 27 days of the 2016 ICC World T20, with England's first game against the West Indies live on Sky Sports 2 from 1.30pm on Wednesday 16th March. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
