Pakistan team will be safe in India when they come for 2021 T20 World Cup: Aakash Chopra

Pakistan cricket team should not have any apprehensions about coming to India for the T20 World Cup next year, feels former cricketers Aakash Chopra.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked the ICC to get written assurances from the BCCI that its team would face no problems getting visas to play in the 2021 T20 World Cup and 2023 50 over World Cup in India.

There have been instances in the past that Pakistan athletes have been denied visas to come and play in India which is why the PCB wants a written assurance. If the team does come to India then security will be another factor which will be under scanner throughout their stay in the country.

India had cut all sporting ties with Pakistan after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack which happened on top of the already-severed bilateral cricketing ties between the two countries. Pakistan last visited India in 2013 when they played a series comprising 2 T20Is and 3 ODIs.

But Chopra feels they shouldn’t have any reason to worry if they do get the clearance to come and play the T20 World Cup in India next year.

“Security will not be an issue for Pakistan whenever they come to India for the T20 World Cup, that is guaranteed. Security assurance will be provided to them.

“The BCCI is not reacting on this at the moment because there is no need to say anything right now because nobody knows what is going to happen in the near future due to the coronavirus crisis.

“Let there be some confirmation on the T20 World Cup first then all these concerns of safety and security can be addressed.

“There is still a lot of time for the tournament to happen but whenever Pakistan comes to India, definitely assurance will be given. Security will be provided and Pakistan team will be safe in India,” Chopra said on Sawera Pasha’s YouTube show Cricast.