Internet Desk: There is no threat on Pakistan origin cricket players Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid during their stay in India for the upcoming test series. According to a report in English media, the Muslim duo of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid were believed to be in threat in India, particularly places like Mumbai. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has dismissed such reports saying the entire England cricket team will be safe during their stay in India.
British tabloid Sun carried out the headline, “Muslim Duo, Possible Target” while another English daily The Telegraph reported, “Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, the two practising Muslims in England’s squad, have already been briefed about their visit to Mumbai, where the Hindu nationalist party Shiv Sena has demonstrated against the Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar officiating in the city.”
Adding spice to the topic, England and Wales Cricket Board’s security officer Reg Dickason was quoted, ““Shiv Sena had some issues with Aleem there and went to the BCCI [Board of Control for Cricket in India] offices, so we’re certainly aware of that but we don’t expect any real issues. I’ve spoken to him (Moeen) and Adil and they seem OK to me. They haven’t expressed any doubts to me, but it’s certainly much better if the group stays as a group. Then we can concentrate the security resources on the group rather than people star bursting.”
The current England squad has three cricketers of Pakistan origin, leg-spinner Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali and Hasseb Hameed. Former Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq will also be in India for the first part of the tour to assist the English spinners.