ISLAMABAD: After getting security assurance from Indian officials for the national cricket team, Pakis­tan agreed to take part in the ICC World T20 Championship.

Interior Minister Chau­dhry Nisar Ali Khan gave approval on Friday to Pakis­tan Cricket Board (PCB) for sending the team to India.

Before it, the minister called Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who is in Saudi Arabia and briefed him on the assurance offered by the Indian authorities.

On Thursday, the interior minister had said that the team won’t be allowed to proceed unless “clear public guarantees” about foolproof security were received from New Delhi.

According to a spokesperson of the interior ministry, Chaudhry Nisar twice contacted Pakistan’s High Commissioner in New Dehli Abdul Basit, who apprised him about the security assurance given by the Indian interior secretary.

Later, the interior minister met the chairman of PCB’s executive committee, Najam Sethi.

Security assurance given by Indian officials for World T20 Championship

Earlier, PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan informed the minister about the opinion of members of the cricket team on the matter.

Mr Sethi told reporters that after getting assurance from the Indian authorities, the government had allowed the team to participate in the T20 World Cup. He said India had assured that adequate security would be provided to Pakistani cricketers during their stay in that country. He said the team would go India via Dubai late on Friday night or Saturday morning.

According to a brief statement issued by the interior ministry, the team was allowed to proceed after security assurance had been given by Indian officials concerned, including the chief minister of West Bengal and the police chief of Kolkata. Besides, a categorical assurance was given by the Indian interior secretary to Pakistan’s High Commiss­ioner in New Dehli.

Agencies add: The Pakistan team had been due to fly out on Wednesday, but the government put their departure on hold, citing the threat posed by Hindu extremists who had disrupted a meeting between the heads of the two cricket boards in India last year.

On Thursday, the interior minister ruled out sending the team ‘without assurances’ from India. Mr Sethi said the government had now given its go-ahead.

“We received communication from the ICC (International Cricket Council) and BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). We received a letter from the Chief Minister of West Bengal and the police chief,” he was quoted by AFP as saying.

“An hour ago our High Commissioner Abdul Basit met the Indian Secretary and the assurances were given.”

Diplomatic tensions have meant that Pakistan and India have not played any bilateral series for more than three years, and their rivalry is restricted to tournaments such as the World T20.

They have not played a full series since 2007, although Pakistan did tour India late in 2012 for a short limited over series that failed to revive the ties fully.

Team manager Intikhab Alam said players remained focused.

“Yes, it’s good news that we are going,” Mr Alam said. “The last three days caused some problems but now all the players are focused and will do their best in the tournament.”

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2016