(Image Source: Twitter)
[Saba Sports News] The HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala is set to host an exciting clash between England and Bangladesh in match No. 7 of the ODI World Cup 2023 on Tuesday, October 9. However, concerns about security threats have loomed large over this fixture. Consequently, sniffer dogs were observed inspecting the pitch and the inner field area at the venue.
Speculations about potential terror threats have cast a shadow over the tournament even before it began, prompting security officials to take comprehensive precautions to ensure a risk-free environment for the teams.
A few weeks ago, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu issued terror threats related to the high-stakes India-Pakistan clash scheduled for Saturday, October 14, marking the third match for both teams in this one-day extravaganza. These threats emerged against the backdrop of escalating political tensions between India and Canada, notably following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to India for the G20 Summit.
Security concerns initially arose when the Pakistan Cricket Board requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to move their matches to ‘safer’ venues during the tournament. Subsequently, several matches were rescheduled, taking into account their dates and timings.
Notably, the warm-up fixture between New Zealand and Pakistan at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad was played behind closed doors due to security constraints stemming from the Ganapati Visarjan festivities coinciding with the match.