T20 WC India assures full security to Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Indian government has assured full security to Pakistan cricket team in World Cup Twenty20 after hard-line Hindu nationalists threaten to dig up pitch if Pakistan play in India.Speaking to media on Friday, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured foolproof security to Pakistan cricket team.Indian media quoted Rajnath as saying, “Anyone coming to India will be provided security. There is no doubt about it.” dir=”ltr” lang=”en”>’Following the assurance from Indian home minister publicly, consultation is being held at the interior ministry over the participation of Pakistan team and a decision regarding this would be made shortly.Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shahryar Khan, while talking to Indian media, also confirmed Indian government and BCCI had given security assurance for the team, however, the final decision would be made by Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan. dir=”ltr” lang=”en”>’Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar on Thursday ruled out Pakistani cricket team’s departure to India to participate in Twenty20 World Cup until the Indian government comes up with a public assurance to provide fool-proof security to the team.A Hindu hard-line group on Thursday issued fresh threat to dig up the Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata where Pakistan is expected to play its first match of the World T20 tournament after ICC shifted the venue from Dharamshala.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 Dharamshala where the India-Pakistan rendezvous was expected.