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Pak women refuse India's invite for cricket

Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow

Security apprehensions have led to the cancellation of the Pakistan women's cricket team's visit to participate in the seven-match triangular series among India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The Pakistan Women's Cricket Control Association informed the organisers in Lucknow on Wednesday that they had taken the decision in view of the threat to the safety of their players.

The series was being hosted by the Uttar Pradesh Women's Cricket Association to mark the completion of 25 years of women's cricket in India.

The opening match, scheduled for Wednesday, was to have been played between India and Pakistan. But officials received a regret note from Pakistan two days ago.

PWCCA president Shaiza Khan expressed her regret. "The responsibility and safety of the players have to be given first priority," she said.

The series was to be played in Agra, Kanpur, Bareilly and Muzaffarnagar, besides Lucknow, where three matches were scheduled.

The Muzaffarnagar incident, where the pitch for the match was dug up by Shiv Sena activists, had put the state administration on the alert and special security arrangements had already been made at the venues.

"The series will go on as per schedule, but now all the seven matches will be played between India and Sri Lanka," officials said.

The Pakistan cricket tour

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