World Twenty20: Pakistan team to land in Kolkata today, play Sri Lanka in warm-up match on Sunday

New Delhi: The Pakistani team on Friday got government clearance to participate in the ICC World Twenty20 after secuity assurances from the host nation.

Shahid Afridi's side is expected to land in Kolkata from Dubai today at around 8pm, said sources in Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).

Due to the delay in travel clearance, Pakistan's first warm-up match against Bengal on Saturday has been cancelled but the team will take on Sri Lanka on Sunday in its second practice game. 

Pakistan Men Team departing for ICC #WT20 Posted by Pakistan Cricket Team on Friday, March 11, 2016

Pakistan Men Team departing for ICC #WT20 Posted by Pakistan Cricket Team on Friday, March 11, 2016

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too guaranteed foolproof security arrangements for the much-awaited India-Pakistan match on March 19 at the Eden Gardens.

"Whenever guests come to our state, we extend all help and cooperation. Law and order is a state subject. BCCI has told us (about the match) and we have said we will extend all kinds of help," the Chief Minister said.

In a letter to CAB President Sourav Ganguly on Friday, Banerjee said the state government would make all security-related arrangement for hosting the match and asked him to communicate it to the ICC and BCCI. 

The Chief Minister has also given necessary instructions to the law enforcement authorities for smooth conduct of the match at the Eden Gardens, officials said. 

Right through the week, there were reports suggesting the Pakistan team could refrain from participating in the mega event.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had earlier said that if Pakistan didn't go to India for the World T20, the PCB could incur losses of around USD 15 million which was a big amount at this time.

(With PTI inputs)