IND Vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2024: Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman Confirms ‘Extra Security’ For Marquee Clash

New York: There will be extra security for the India vs Pakistan high-voltage encounter at the T20 World Cup 2024, asserted Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. The development comes in after an ISIS-linked body had threatened to launch an attack during the marquee game. The India vs Pakistan encounter is set to take place at the Nassau County Cricket International Stadium on June 9. This is also the first time in history USA are hosting the T20 World Cup. West Indies are co-hosts.

“Well, we’ve been gearing up for that match because we know it’s the biggest match in the world and we’ll have extra security that day. We have our Nassau County Police Department, which handles major events all the time,” Blakeman told ANI.

“They do a great job. We have our New York state police. We have our state park police, FBI, Port Authority Police, MTA police, fire marshall, and volunteer firefighters. We’re going to be ready. Customs and Border Patrol is here today. We’re going to be ready for anything that might occur, and we’re pretty confident it won’t happen. But if it does, we’re ready,” he added.

Both India and Pakistan have been clubbed in the same group alongside USA, Canada and Ireland. While India play three out of their four group games in New York, Pakistan take the field in two out of their four in the city.

Earlier, Nassau County Police Department commissioner Patrick Ryder assured that the safest place to be on June 9 in United States will be the venue of the game. “When you have 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 have 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 told CBS News.

Cricket is being played at such a high-level for the first time in New York. The India vs Pakistan clash will be a perfect advertisement for the growth of the sport in the country that has largely been dominated by the likes of Rugby (American soccer), NBA and athletics.