We want foolproof security if team reaches semis, final: PCB

Karachi, Mar 22 (PTI) Pakistan Cricket Board has
asked International Cricket Council to ensure foolproof
security for its players if they qualify for the cricket World
Cup semifinals and final slated to be held in India.
If Pakistan beat West Indies in the first
quarterfinal on Wednesday, they play the winners of the last
eight match between India and Australia in the semifinal at
Mohali while the World Cup final will be held in Mumbai.
"Given the threats made by the Shiv Sena party warning
Pakistan about playing in Mumbai and also statements made by
some other extremist elements, the board just wants to be sure
everything is in place if the team has to play in India," one
reliable source told PTI.
He said the PCB had contacted the ICC and asked the
world body to ensure that Pakistan faced no problems playing
in India.
India have not played Pakistan in any bilateral series
since the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008. Pakistani
cricketers have also not played in Indian Premier League after
2008.
"Pakistani players have not played in India since the
first edition of the IPL in early 2008, so obviously the PCB
wants to be sure the players are not uncomfortable going to
India," the source said.
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi had initially said
that his team would prefer to play its quarterfinal or
semifinal out of India because of the pressure involved in
playing in front of Indian crowd.
Afridi later retracted his statement saying that
Pakistan were willing to play at any venue including India as
their main emphasis was on cricket and doing well on the
field.
Sources said that Pakistan foreign and interior
ministries had already been in touch with their Indian
counterparts to ensure proper security for the Pakistani
players if they have to play in India.
"The Indians have also issued visas to around 3000
Pakistanis wishing to travel to India for the World Cup
semifinal and final and obviously their security is also a
concern for the Pakistan government," the source said.
Pakistan's hockey team played twice in New Delhi last
year -- in the World Cup and Commonwealth Games -- and faced
no untoward incident although some players on returning home
complained of some sections of the crowd exerting lot of
pressure on the players.