Even on the eve of the World Cup T20, the scheduled India-Pakistan match at Dharamsala remained under a cloud of uncertainty but ICC’s CEO Dave Richardson and Board’s secretary Anurag Thakur chose to be optimistic and declined to share ‘Plan B’ should things go awry before March 19.
BCCI Secretary Mr. >@ianuragthakur addressing the media persons ahead of the >@ICC World T20 India 2016 >pic.twitter.com/ODuvpksO9c
— BCCI (@BCCI) >March 7, 2016
Addressing media persons here on Monday, Richardson reiterated that matches at Dharamsala and New Delhi were scheduled almost a year ago and admitted that, in the given circumstances, “there were challenges” in holding these matches. “These challenges have reasons not due to the fault of the BCCI or the ICC. But the fact is that we are dealing with these and we are confident that the matches will proceed at those two venues,” he said.
About Dharamsala, Richardson said, “I can assure you that the BCCI and PCB are communicating, as is the ICC with both parties. We will make sure we do everything we can and the event takes place at a safe and secure environment. The Indian government has shown a commitment to make sure that adequate security measures are in place at all the venues for all the teams.”
On a day when Pakistan’s three-member team arrived to assess security level at Dharamsala and was due to submit a report to Pakistan government in due course, Richardson maintained that Pakistan would not withdraw from the event.
Thakur was guarded in his reading of the situation and said, “Let the meeting between BCCI, PCB and ICC take place. Let the Pakistan security team give a report, only then we (BCCI) can comment on that. I hope the match is played in Dharamsala. Security is up to the state government. Security in today's world is a concern and we are ready to give foolproof security to all the teams.”
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