Nagpur/Mumbai.
Call it an extra concern for security or an effort to avoid any tension, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to keep Pakistan away from two venues – Mumbai and Nagpur – in Maharashtra during the World T20 tournament next year.
Top officials of the board, in consultation with the Maharashtra government, took this call considering the fact that political parties like Shiv Sena could cause law and order problems in the state.
“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,” a top BCCI official was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
“We will ensure that such a draw is been made that Pakistan team will not have to play any games in two venues in (Wankhede and VCA) Maharashtra. As the final will be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, there will be no problem in Bengal,” the source added.
Shiv Sena had earlier opposed participation of Pakistani players in the Pro Kabbadi and hockey leagues in the state. Hence the Indian board did not want to take any chances during the prestigious tournament.
