ICC T20 World Cup 2016: India assures full security to Pakistan cricket team

India today assured Pakistan of full security to its cricket team that will take part in the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 in two venues in India before the last stage matches.

The assurance was given to Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit when he called on Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi here today.

Sources in the Home Ministry said the Home Secretary assured Basit of extending full security for the Pakistani cricket team.

“Pakistan’s main concern has been addressed. They had objected to Dharamshala venue and it has been changed now. The Pakistan team will play only in Kolkata (two matches) and Mohali (two matches),” they said.

After the meeting Basit told media that Mehrishi has given full assurance to him and he will send his recommendations to Islamabad and that they will take the “final call.”

When asked if the Pakistan team will come to play in India, Basit said: “We always want that to happen. Let’s see if Islamabad accepts my recommendations.”

India-Pakistan meetings are always positive, he said when he was asked about his meeting with the Home Secretary.

A controversy had erupted over Pakistan playing in Dharamshala with the Congress government in the state asking BCCI to address concerns of the families of security personnel martyred in terror attacks in India by elements who infiltrate from across the border.

The issue led to shifting of the India-Pakistan match from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh to Kolkata.