MUMBAI, India, CMC – Group B matches in the Women’s World Cup involving Pakistan have been moved from Mumbai following threats by right wing Hindu nationalist group Shiv Sena.
The International Cricket Council confirmed in a release Friday that while Mumbai would still host the majority of games, the city of Cuttack would be drafted in.
Pakistan’s matches will now be held at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
West Indies will be unaffected by the change as they do battle in Group A of the tournament alongside Sri Lanka, India and England.
“I am grateful for all the support ICC has received from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during a difficult situation, which was not of cricket’s making,” ICC chief executive Dave Richardson said.
“We are also indebted to the Odisha Cricket Association for making excellent grounds available at such short notice.
“We also wish to thank the competing teams and Member Boards for their co-operation in allowing both the ICC and BCCI (Indian Board) the opportunity to explore the complicated logistics so that we can ensure that this event takes place on the dates scheduled in India.”
The move comes following a warning from Shiv Sena that Pakistani players neither nor artists be hosted anywhere in the state of Maharashtra, where the party is headquartered and where Mumbai is also located.
Shiv Sena have disrupted matches between India and Pakistan in the past, once damaging a pitch that was supposed to be used at a venue.
The group maintains India should not play cricket against Pakistan until their neighbours hand over alleged terrorists.
Group B involves Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.