Govt: Can’t guarantee Pak team security

India's status as the host of the upcoming ICC Women's World Cup looks increasingly in doubt. On Wednesday, the home ministry reportedly said they could not guarantee the security of the Pakistan cricket team, when contacted by the International Cricket Council. But they added that if the ICC insisted on India hosting the event, the ministry would provide the best possible security. The ICC is expected to take a final decision on Thursday.

Meanwhile, ICC tournament director Suru Nayak met the Mumbai police on Wednesday afternoon and informed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are still looking for another venue to host Pakistan. The rest of the matches are still to take place as scheduled.

The BCCI has been finding it difficult to find an alternative host for Pakistan's matches after Mumbai's initial refusal. On Tuesday, the Gujarat Cricket Association had declined BCCI's request, and a number of other state associations have done likewise since. With politicians at the helm of most of the associations, none at present seem willing to take the risk.

Home ministry

"We all know what is happening in the country at the moment. It's up to home ministry to decide whether to have the Women's World Cup in India or not," a top BCCI official said.

Meanwhile, all Pakistan hockey players left the country. Delhi's Mohammed Rizwan Sr and Md Rizwan Jr left by an afternoon flight, Mumbai's Mahmood Rashid, Fareed Ahmed, Muhammad Tousiq and Imran Butt took a 7 pm flight. The remaining three — Kashif Shah (Punjab), Muhammed Irfan and Shafqat Rasool (Ranchi) left via the Attari-Wagah border.

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