The Asia Cup Cricket for the Blind schedule to be held in Kochi, India from January 17 to 24. A total of four teams’ were to participate in the event including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Sultan said PBCC took this decision due to the present security circumstances in India.
“Shiv Sena’s attack on Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarter, causing cancellation of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shahryar Khan’s meeting, threatening Aleem Dar from officiating the last two India-South Africa series matches and decision of ICC to send him back on security concerns has compelled us to consider the matter of Pakistan’s team security seriously,” he said.
The PBCC chief said if the current scenario gets worse the PCB should also back out from the 2016 Twenrty-20 World Cup to be held in India next year.
“The way the Indian Government is sitting back and doing nothing about the matter, seems like they are the ones who are exaggerating it,” he said.
PBCC Chairman said PBCC had started the preparation of the Asia Cup and the team was also shortlisted but disappointingly the board cannot risk lives of the players.
“PBCC has officially informed the Cricket Association of the Blind in India (CABI) also,” he said adding if this situation goes on teams of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal may also back out from the event.
Sultan also demanded that all the international sports events that are due to be played in India should also be shifted to some other country.
Yesterday, PCB chairman Shahryar Khan expressed his disappointment in New Delhi after BCCI officials failed to agree to the December series.
The International Cricket Council is also concerned with the recent developments took place in India.
Following the Shiv Sena attack in Mumbai, ICC withdrew Pakistani neutral umpire Aleem Dar from the ODI at Wankhede Stadium scheduled on Sunday.
Host broadcasters have also pulled out Pakistani commentators Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar.
It is pertinent to mention that the Kabaddi World Cup that was scheduled to be held in India from November 14 to 28 has also been called off for an indefinite period due to security concerns. -Samaa/APP
