ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: A Hindu hard-line group has threatened to dig up the Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkatawhere Pakistan is expected to play its first match of the World T20 tournament.
The Anti-Terrorist Front of India has been opposing presence of the Pakistan team on Indian soil. Earlier, they had threatened to dig up the pitch at Dharamsala where the India-Pakistan rendezvous was expected.
“The ATFI now is holding a meet to decide our course of action. How can the Indian cricket board be insensitive to undermine the tears of widows of our martyrs? We will hold protests across Kolkata including the airport,” Viresh Shandilya the group’s president said.
Citing security reasons venue for the WT20 was shifted from Dharamsala to Calcutta.
"The decision to relocate the match has been made for security reasons," ICC CEO Dave Richardson said at a hurriedly called press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.
"I would like to confirm that the ICC has been assured by all relevant state authorities that all adequate security measure are in place and will be implemented to ensure that the event is staged in a safe and secure environment for all stakeholders," he said.
The announcement came as Pakistan’s interior ministry said it would not send its team to participate in the WT20 tournament until the Indian government gives an assurance of complete security to its players.
The security concerns arose after the Chief Minister of Hamachal Pradesh warned of demonstrations and attempts to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the match in Dharamsala.
Indian hard-liners have a history of digging up pitches. In 1999 when Pakistan was touring India after a gap of 12 years, Shiv Sena activists dug up the pitch at the Feroshah Kotla stadium.
The tournament opened on Tuesday with qualifying matches before the main draw begins on March 15. The final will be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 3.
Pakistan will play its first match on March 16. Pakistan and India are expected to face each other in a match scheduled to take place on March 19.