Pakistan interior minister demands written assurances over World T20 security

Pakistan’s interior minister has said the country’s national team will not travel to the World Twenty20 unless written assurances over security are provided by the Indian government.

On Wednesday the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) delayed the team’s departure to India because of security fears.

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That decision came after the ICC had switched the scheduled March 19 match between fierce rivals India and Pakistan from Dharamsala to Eden Gardens in Kolkata amid safety concerns.

The PCB said the team will not travel until it receives further security guarantees.

And interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said: “We are not in a position to give clearance right now. The threats are Pakistan specific.

“It is our responsibility that our players do not face any kind of pressure when they play. Unless we get written assurance from the [Indian] government, we will not allow our team to travel to India.

“How can cricket be played amid threats… Eden Gardens has a capacity of one lakh [100,000], what if stone comes from any side.

“We are just demanding an even playing field.”

Pakistan are due to begin their World T20 campaign on March 16 at Eden Gardens against the winner of Group A.