The International Cricket Council (ICC) has assured that a ‘comprehensive’ security plan is in place to address the terrorist threat looming over the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, just weeks before the much-anticipated event kicks off. Scheduled to commence in June, the T20 extravaganza will be jointly hosted by the USA and the Caribbean islands.
While concerns have been raised regarding the safety of matches in the West Indies, no specific alerts have been issued for games slated in the USA. In response to queries, an ICC spokesperson emphasized, “Safety and security of everyone at the event is our number one priority, and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place.” The global body maintains close coordination with host country authorities, continually assessing the global landscape to mitigate potential risks.
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Trinidad Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley underscored the necessity for heightened national security measures and readiness to counter potential threats. Rowley acknowledged the challenge posed by unpredictable actors but expressed confidence in local and regional security agencies’ vigilance and collaborative efforts.
The ICC and Cricket West Indies have issued a statement after Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley confirmed that security agencies in the West Indies were monitoring a possible terror threat to the #T20WorldCup https://t.co/Pi326CFxKA pic.twitter.com/J6AsC4JOvg
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 6, 2024
The tournament, featuring 20 teams, will unfold across six venues in the West Indies and three in the USA. The Caribbean leg will see matches hosted in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago, while the US leg includes fixtures in Florida, New York, and Texas.
The marquee clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is slated for June 9 in New York, promising to be a highlight of the tournament. Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Jonny Graves affirmed that meticulous security measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of all stakeholders.
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“We work closely with authorities in the host countries and cities, continually monitoring and evaluating the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place,” Jonny Graves assured, emphasizing that the safety and security of everyone involved in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup remain paramount.