PCB unfazed by Shiv Sena menace

KARACHI: The sixth edition of ICC World Twenty20 championship is still seven months away but the much-awaited spectacle is already generating some controversy.
Media reports emerging from India – the host of the championship to be played from March 11-April 3 next year – suggest that due to pressure from Hindu extremists the event’s organisers will not have any of the tournament matches involving Pakistan in Mumbai and Nagpur.
However, sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told ‘The News’ that the Board is not concerned about these reports.
“It’s their (India’s) and ICC’s decision as to which team plays at which venue during the World Twenty20 championship,” a source said. “Pakistan will be willing to play at any venue,” he added.
The Hindu extremist Shiv Sena party is already making a big fuss about Pakistan’s participation in the World Twenty20 championship on Indian soil. According to some reports, it has already been decided by the Indian cricket board (BCCI) that Pakistan will not be playing in either Mumbai or Nagpur – the two tournament venues that are in Maharashtra, the state where Shiv Sena yields a lot of influence.
The decision, according to reports, was taken by top brass of BCCI in consultation with Maharashtra government which feared that political parties like Shiv Sena might cause law and order issue in the state.
Maharashtra has two Test centres — Vidarbha Cricket Association in Nagpur and MCA (Wankhede Stadium) — which have been picked to host T20 World Cup next year. The other venues are Kolkata, Dharamsala, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Mohali.
Quoting a top BCCI official, a media report said: “BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur spoke to government bodies in Maharashtra and they have advised us to not have any Pakistan games as political parties might create some protest and there could be law and order situation in the state. We don’t know what the situation will be between both countries by next year but we don’t want to take any risk.”
Last year, Shiv Sena had opposed the participation of Pakistani players in sports like Kabbadi and hockey in games held in Maharashtra. BCCI doesn’t want to take any risk especially with board’s global reputation at stake. Thakur happens to be BJP’s Member of Parliament and his party is also in power in the state and centre.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to come up with the final draw for ICC T20 WC but it is reliably learnt that India might play in same group as Pakistan and West Indies. There is a chance of India playing against Pakistan in Chennai or Mohali.
A media report also suggested that BCCI will ensure that such a draw is been made that Pakistan will not have to play any games in two venues in (Wankhede and VCA) Maharashtra. BCCI believes that since the final will be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, there will be no problem in Bengal even if Pakistan make it to the title match.