Women’s World Cup: Pakistan to shift base from Mumbai

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) It is more or less certain that Pakistan willplay in the Women’s World Cup and they will not be touching Mumbai. They will, most probably go to Cuttack for their Group B matches.

A formal announcement on the venue will be made by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in a day or two after sewing up the loose ends in consultation with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

A senior BCCI official, not wanting to be named since it is an ICC event and that it has to take the call, told IANS that the Board is looking at one or two other safer venues before informing the ICC.

There was uncertainty about the event taking place in India in case Pakistan is not allowed to take part, more so after the nine hockey players from across the border playing in the Hockey India League (HIL) had to go back home after the right wing political party Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt the matches in Mumbai.

The Pakistani hockey players had to leave in view of the escalating tension on the Line of Control (LOC) between the two neighbouring countries after two Indian soldiers were killed.

The World Cup, scheduled from Jan 31 to Feb 17 at four grounds in Mumbai will definitely be played in two cities with the Pakistanis playing their group matches against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa outside Mumbai.

The Group A teams India, England, West Indies and Sri Lanka will play their games in Mumbai.

The organisers are reworking the schedule, preferably on the same dates.

The Pakistanis are scheduled to arrive Jan 26.

All the matches were to be played at the Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium, the Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) Bandra-Kurla Complex ground and the MIG Club in Bandra, but it is not clear how many grounds will be used if only Group A matches are to be played in Mumbai.

IANS 2013-01-18 19:48:03