Terrorism threat at T20 World Cup played down by ICC

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley revealed there was a potential security threat at the event which runs from June 1-29 and is being co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States.

But in a joint statement, the ICC and CWI said: "We work closely with authorities in the host countries and cities, and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event.

"We want to assure all stakeholders that the safety and security of everyone at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place."

While Ireland play their group matches in the USA, including against India in New York, both England and Scotland, who have been drawn in the same group, will have their fixtures in the Caribbean.

Rowley raised his concerns to Trinidad's Sunday Express, saying: "Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism in its many and varied expressions is an ever-present danger in the world of the 21st century.

"It is against this backdrop that all nations, like our region, when hosting large or vulnerable gatherings, make an extra effort in national security preparations and response readiness to take seriously, all threats, expressed or implied.

"Given the fact that bad actors can choose to misbehave in any way possible, it makes it virtually impossible to completely seal off all opportunities.

"However, in order to ameliorate these dangers, we at the local and regional levels have remained alert to many threats and singularly or together have our intelligence and other security agencies working to protect the population in countries and at venues throughout the tournament."