Now, Sena to train guns on Pak women cricketers

If you sympathise with the stakeholders of Hockey India League (HIL), then maybe you should also spare a thought for the International Cricket Council (ICC). If nothing, HIL will be held across five cities — New Delhi, Lucknow, Jalandhar, Ranchi and, of course, Mumbai. But all matches of the 2013 ICC Women’s World Cup (January 31-February 17) are to be played in the city.

And that means the Shiv Sena will be at it again. The reason: the Pakistani women are slated to play at least three matches at the MCA facility in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). Interestingly, the venue is not too far from Matoshree, the Thackerays’ abode.
Pakistan are scheduled to take on Group ‘B’ rivals Australia (January 31), New Zealand (February 3) and South Africa (February 5). And if they do progress to the Super Six, then their sojourn would last longer.

The Sena, though, has made it amply clear that it wouldn’t allow them to play in the city. “I don’t want to reveal our plans, but you already know of our policy. The Sena will not allow any artiste or sportsperson from Pakistan to perform or play in the city. That country is waging a proxy war against us. There’s no way we will allow them in Mumbai,” senior party leader Subhash Desai told DNA on Monday.

Here’s what an ICC spokesperson said: “Safety and security of players, match officials, administrators, staff and spectators are always paramount for the ICC and that fact will be reflected in the security plans put in place for the event. The ICC never reveals security plans for any event but also works with the organisers to monitor any changes in circumstances and responds accordingly.”

MCA president Ravi Savant said he hadn’t heard anything from tournament director Suru Nayak. Nayak was not available for comment.