Worried ICC shifts India-Pak match to Kolkata

The ICC ended the uncertainty and anxiety over the World T20 match between India and Pakistan - scheduled for March 19 - by shifting the venue from Dharamshala to Kolkata citing security concerns.

The shift in venue, however, has not yet convinced Pakistan to send its men's and women's teams to India. "Pakistan is still waiting for an explicit assurance from the government of India over security of its teams and Pakistani spectators. Without that, the Pakistan team is unlikely to participate in the World Cup," sources in the Pakistan High Commission told TOI.

Sources said Pakistan's high commissioner Abdul Basit had sought a meeting with Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday to discuss the issue but his request was turned down.

On Wednesday, TOI had reported that the PCB had written to ICC on Tuesday evening requesting a change in the venue. ICC CEO Dave Richardson announced the relocation of the match to Kolkata, saying: "The decision has been taken for security reasons in consultation with the BCCI, relevant state associations, ICC and BCCI security advisors and the concerns shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board."

Richardson also said the venue for the second semifinal of the World T20, scheduled to be held in Mumbai, would be shifted if Pakistan were to make the last four stage. "This again is for security reasons," said Richardson, hinting at the threat posed by Shiv Sena.

The India-Pakistan match was under a cloud ever since the Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh said, and later reiterated, that the people of Himachal did not want the game to be held in the state.The CM had also said that he would not ask the police to lathi-charge family members of martyrs, who had threatened to protest against the match with the 'enemy' in Dharamshala.

"The concerns arose after the recent public comments made by the Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh.There was also the risk of potential demonstrations and disruptions which could ham per the peaceful conduct of the match. Our concerns relate to the uncertainty over the level of those threats - whether they would involve just 100 people or many more, whether the roads to the stadium would be blockaded, whether attempts would be made to damage property," said Richardson.

Richardson also questioned he government's commitment to holding the match. "There was also an uncertainty over the level of commitment in implementing the security plans that have been developed to mitigate the threat. We understand the disappointment of the ans. However, the safety and security of the event is of paramount importance. I don't think the BCCI could have prevented anything from happening," he added.

Reacting to this development, PCB said n an official release: "Our government is expecting an assurance to Pakistan against specific threats to the Pakistan team from various political parties and groups during the tour. Pending this assurance and in accordance with the recommendation by the security delegation, the PCB has decided to defer the departure of Pakistan men's and women's teams to India."

"We have not had that abso lute assurance yet from the PCB. We are hopeful they wil now board the plane and come for the event. If they don' come, the match won't take place. It will be an unjustified decision not to come," said Richardson.

Richardson, a former South African wicket-keeper, added i was not the right time to think about action against HPCA. "It is too early to state any disciplinary action against the state association. Had we not played the match at all, it would have been more worrisome... the broadcasters, the sponsors would have been upset."

When asked whether Mohali and Bengaluru were also considered as possible venues, Richardson said: "We took into account what Pakistan had said. The considerations were simply logistic in nature. We have seven TV kits, four TV crews and the logistics of moving them to a different venue was one of the main reasons for choosing Kolkata."

Richardson added the fans will have the option of claiming full refund for their tickets or the option of attending the Kolkata game on March 19th.

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US approves F-16 fighter jets sale to Pakistan, India disappointed

India on Saturday expressed disappointment over US administration’s decision to sell eight F16 fighter jets to Pakistan, saying it disagrees that such arms’ transfers will help combat terrorism.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will be summoning US Ambassador Richard Verma to convey India’s “displeasure”. “We are disappointed at the decision of the Obama Administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan. We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism,’ the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

.The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it had notified lawmakers about the possible sale on Thursday. It said the sale would improve Pakistan’s capability to meet current and future security threats.

Following the US announcement, Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday expressed disappointed over the decision of Obama administration to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.

“We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism,” Vikas Swarup, a spokesman for India’s Foreign Ministry, said on Twitter.

F-16s would allow Pakistan’s Air Force to operate in all-weather environments and at night, while improving its self-defense capability and bolstering its ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

US lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale, although such action is rare since deals are well-vetted before any formal notification.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker notified the Obama administration that he would not approve using US funds to pay for the planes through the foreign military financing (FMF) program. That means Pakistan must fund the purchase itself, instead of relying on U.S. funds to cover about 46 percent of the cost.

Given the funds it has available, Pakistan may be able to buy only four of the F-16 Block 52 models, and the associated radar and electronic warfare equipment, said one U.S. source familiar with the situation.

Corker told Secretary of State John Kerry in a letter that he was concerned about Pakistan’s ties to the Haqqani network, a militant group that U.S. officials have said is behind attacks in Afghanistan.

“I may reconsider my blanket hold on US FMF assistance should the Pakistanis make progress on addressing my significant concerns about their support for the Haqqani network, but for now, if they wish to purchase this military equipment, they will do so without a subsidy from the American taxpayer,” he wrote.

One U.S. official said the administration was convinced that F-16s were the right platform to support Pakistan’s counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

“These operations reduce the ability of militants to use Pakistani territory as a safe haven for terrorism and a base of support for the insurgency in Afghanistan, which is in the national interests of both Pakistan and the United States, and in the interest of the region more broadly,” the official said.

Lockheed referred questions about the deal to the US government.

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