Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan welcomed the International Cricket Council's decision to relocate the marquee India-Pakistan World T20 match from Dharamsala to Kolkata, but kept the team's departure on hold awaiting an assurance from the Indian government.
"Both men and women teams (departure) have been deferred. I have also informed this to the government because it has asked for my opinion," Shaharyar told at a press conference on Wednesday evening.
Shaharyar's response came after the ICC announced in Delhi that the India-Pakistan men's match, on March 19, would be played in Kolkata instead of Dharamsala due to security concerns.
"I have told them that Kolkata is fine as venue and we welcome and appreciate it. But the Indian government from their side must also give us an assurance on the danger," the PCB chief said.
"Pakistan government has not talked with the Indian government. This threat is on us, so the PCB has talked with the Indian government. It is the PCB that is raising this issue with the BCCI, ICC and the Government of India that this assurance should be given by India. We have not given any deadline," added Shaharyar.
After days of hectic activity and inspection by a Pakistan security delegation, the ICC finally announced the relocation of the match to Kolkata, where Pakistan will be based for the initial stages of the event.
The match ran into trouble after the Himachal Pradesh government expressed its inability to provide security for it.
