Pakistan may pull out of World T20; says facing threat from 'extremists in India'

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said there were incidents in India in recent months which pointed to Pakistan-specific threats.

Among them was the ICC's decision to pull out Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar midway during South Africa's tour of India last year and the cancellation of talks between PCB and BCCI officials in Mumbai because of the Shiv Sena's threat.

Pakistan's participation in the World T20 is in doubt after Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said there have been incidents in India in recent months which pointed to Pakistan-specific threats.

The Pakistan Cricket Board revealed that the issue of their participation in the mega-event, to be staged in India in March-April, was discussed at the recent International Cricket Council meeting in Dubai.

Khan said a proposal was also floated about having Pakistan's matches at neutral venues if it doesn't get permission from its government to tour India for the World T20.

He claimed that at the meeting he made the point that the Pakistan government might not allow its team to play the World T20 in India as it faces specific threats from extremists in India.

"Yes, some member did bring up the point that if our team didn't get clearance to go to India maybe our matches be held at a neutral venue like Dubai, Sharjah or Colombo," he said.

He added that he made it clear at the ICC meeting that Pakistan's participation in the World T20 is subject to government clearance.

"I made it clear we have to see what our government says because the Indian Board (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has not played a bilateral series against us in December because their government didn't give them clearance.

"India didn't play the planned series on pleas they didn't get clearance although it was relocated to Sri Lanka and shortened just to ensure the Indo-Pak ties were revived."

Khan said he informed ICC members there are specific threats to the Pakistan team.

He said there were incidents in India in recent months which pointed to Pakistan-specific threats. One of them was the ICC's decision to pull out Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar midway during South Africa's tour of India last year.

The PCB chief also recalled the cancellation of a scheduled meeting with BCCI officials in Mumbai because of threats from Shiv Sena activists and also threats to Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali.

The former career diplomat said cricket is vastly different from sending teams to India in other sports, like the Pakistan contingent in Guwahati for the ongoing South Asian Games.

He noted even Pakistan's hockey players faced problems from extremist elements in India and had to return home midway from the Hockey India League.

Khan said threats to cricketers are always real because of the high-profile status cricket and cricketers have in both countries.