New Delhi: Amid tension on the Indo-Pak border, the Pakistan women cricket team`s participation in the upcoming World Cup here continued to remain uncertain as both the International Cricket Council and the BCCI explored various options to salvage the tournament.
The BCCI has already apprised the ICC of the situation prevailing in India following the killing of two Indian soldiers by the Pakistani Army and the game`s governing body is expected to take a final decision soon.
Mumbai and Ahmedabad have already been ruled out as venues because of security concerns and possible political protests, prompting the BCCI to look for alternative venues.
It is learnt that Kolkata and Bangalore could be considered as alternate venues while the Odisha Cricket Association has also made their grounds available for the tournament.
"The BCCI is exploring all the possibilities and is in touch with the ICC. The World Cup is an ICC event and the game`s governing body will take the final decision. We expect a decision soon as the logistical arrangements have to be made", a top BCCI official said.
The BCCI has also informed the ICC that Pakistan`s participation in the tournament will also require the Indian government`s clearance.
"At the end of the day, it is the government which has to give its approval and the visas to the players", the official said.
Fearing that the matches could be disrupted, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf had suggested to the ICC that the entire World Cup tournament should be shifted to South Africa.
The eight-team Women`s World Cup is scheduled to be held in Mumbai between January 31 and February 17 but there are concerns that there might be protests, leading to trouble.
The Wankhede Stadium, Cricket Club of India`s Brabourne Stadium, the Mumbai Cricket Association`s (MCA) Bandra-Kurla Complex ground and the MIG Club in Bandra are the venues for the Women`s World Cup matches.
As per the schedule, Pakistan team is set to arrive in Mumbai on January 26 and will play their league games at the MCA ground.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, January 17, 2013, 21:33