The Pakistan cricket team is set to participate in the 2016 World Twenty20 in March. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) plans to avoid scheduling their matches in Mumbai and Nagpur, Maharashtra, due to security concerns.
Shiv Sena, known for creating disturbances regarding Pakistani sports teams, is the primary reason for this decision. The BCCI is cautious about potential law and order issues if Pakistan plays at Maharashtra’s venues.
The World Twenty20 will be held across eight venues in India, including Nagpur’s Vidarbha Cricket Association and Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Other venues are in Kolkata, Dharamsala, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, and Mohali.
A senior BCCI official told The Indian Express, “We’ve consulted Maharashtra’s government bodies. They advised against hosting Pakistan matches in the state due to possible political protests and law and order challenges.”
With uncertainty about future relations between India and Pakistan, the BCCI prefers not to risk hosting matches in Maharashtra.
Shiv Sena’s history of opposing Pakistani participation in sports events in Maharashtra, including Kabaddi and Hockey, influences this decision. Anurag Thakur, BCCI secretary and BJP Member of Parliament, aligns with the party’s cautious stance.
The ICC has yet to finalize the World Twenty20 draw, but India, Pakistan, and West Indies might be grouped together. The Indian Express suggests potential matches between Pakistan and India in Chennai or Mohali.
The BCCI official assured, “We’ll arrange the draw to avoid Pakistan playing in Maharashtra. With the final in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, there should be no issues in Bengal.”
 plans to avoid scheduling the 2016 World Twenty20 matches in Mumbai and Nagpur, Maharashtra.){kind=link}