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World T20: Kolkata Likely To Host The Controversial India-Pakistan Match

Kolkata Likely Host The Controversial World T20 India-Pakistan Match
Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir (R) walks off the field after being dismissied by Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya (C) during the match between India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup T20 cricket tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on February 27, 2016. AFP PHOTO/Munir uz ZAMAN / AFP / MUNIR UZ ZAMAN (Photo credit should read MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images)
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN via Getty Images
Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir (R) walks off the field after being dismissied by Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya (C) during the match between India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup T20 cricket tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on February 27, 2016. AFP PHOTO/Munir uz ZAMAN / AFP / MUNIR UZ ZAMAN (Photo credit should read MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images)

KOLKATA -- Dharamsala's loss may be Kolkata's gain as the marquee India-Pakistan encounter of the ICC World Twenty20 on March 19 is likely to be shifted to the iconic Eden Gardens here.

The official confirmation from the ICC is awaited but according to top a BCCI official, Kolkata has the "highest" chance compared to other prospective venues like Mohali and Bengaluru.

In a late night development yesterday, the Pakistan Cricket Board had put its team departure to India on hold following security concerns for the marquee match originally scheduled to be played in Dharamsala.

"Logistically, and from security point of view, Kolkata is the ideal place for the match as they would not have to travel to Dharamshala... It's feasible from broadcasting point of view as they would not have to the cost for taking the expensive broadcasting kit to another venue," a BCCI official told PTI.

The West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee in the past too had shown keen interest to host BCCI's meeting with PCB after their proposed talk in Mumbai faced protest from Shiv Sena activists.

As per the ICC itinerary, Pakistani team are slated to camp in Kolkata where they will play two warm-up games (against Bengal, March 12 and Sri Lanka, March 14) and one in the main round against Group A qualifier March 16.

As per the schedule, Pakistan were to arrive late evening today and fly out to Dharamsala on March 17 but if the match is shifted they will remain here till March 20 before heading to Mohali where they face New Zealand March 22.

After a recce of Dharamsala, the PCB were reluctant to play there citing security concerns.

"The Himachal Pradesh chief minister has not committed full security for the match and the Indian government has also not come up with any assuring statement... Under the prevailing circumstances how can we allow our team to play there?" PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said yesterday.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.