Security has been tightened after a reported ISIS threat in New York ahead of the highly-anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 clash between India and Pakistan. However, it has not affected the movement of Indian cricketers in and around the United States.
The arch-rivals are slated to square off on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on the outskirts of New York, USA.
“No directive has been issued to the players and they can normally roam about in New York. Security has been brilliant ever since the team has landed and it was excellent during the warm-up game too,” a source close to the development told CricketNext.
According to the report, several Indian players were seen travelling around New York, with some of them even visiting the iconic Times Square while others went for long walks and outdoor lunches.
During India’s only T20 World Cup warm-up fixture against Bangladesh on Saturday (June 1), the security was beefed up in New York.
The practice match saw a pitch invader breaching the security to enter the playing arena. He went on to hug India skipper Rohit before the security personnel came on to the field. Unlike other venues, the policemen were quite severe here as the pitch invader was tackled to the ground.
The video of the incident went viral on social media. In the clip, Rohit was seen asking the NYPD police officers to go easy on the fan and not hurt him.
It is worth mentioning here that the much-awaited India versus Pakistan encounter at the T20 World Cup 2024 has received a lone wolf threat, and the New York City Police Department has therefore initiated the 'tightest security ever' in Nassau County.
This security situation of the much-awaited encounter was revealed to the media last Wednesday (May 29) by Nassau County’s Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.
"When you've got a game and a crowd as big as this, everything is credible. We will go through every fine detail when it comes to the security and safety of the residents here in Nassau County. I can guarantee you this is the largest security we've ever had to do in this county's history, and I can also guarantee you the safest place to be in Nassau County on June 9 will be inside that stadium," Ryder had told CNN.
India are placed in Group A of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, along with Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the USA. The Men in Blue will begin their campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5.
