By Concerns about potential terrorist attacks at the upcoming T20 World Cup have heightened following the release of a disturbing poster by a pro-ISIS outlet, hinting at the possibility of bloodshed during the highly-anticipated match between India and Pakistan in New York.
The graphic, which features a hooded man wielding a rifle, bears the ominous message, “You wait for the matches…” followed by the blood-red text, “And we wait for you…” The poster specifically references the June 9 clash between two cricket rivals at Nassau Stadium, a temporary venue erected in Eisenhower Park, approximately 30 miles east of Manhattan.
The chilling image also includes depictions of drones flying over the stadium and a stick of dynamite with a ticking clock, further emphasizing the gravity of the threat. DailyMail.com has reached out to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for comment on the situation.
The T20 World Cup is set to take place in the United States and the Caribbean from June 1 to June 29, with eight matches scheduled at the newly-constructed 34,000-seat Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. The India-Pakistan encounter, a sold-out fixture that highlights the group stages, is expected to draw significant attention from fans and media alike.
In response to the threat, local and regional authorities have assured the public that they remain vigilant and are working in collaboration with intelligence and security agencies to protect the population in host countries and at tournament venues.
While the ICC and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have not officially confirmed the origin of the threat, it is believed to have emanated from Islamic State’s propaganda channel, Nashir-e Pakistan, which has previously encouraged attacks on sporting events. In a joint statement, the ICC and CWI emphasized their commitment to the safety and security of all stakeholders, stating, “We want to assure all stakeholders that 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.”
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the start of the T20 World Cup, the chilling warning serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of terrorism and the need for heightened security measures at high-profile sporting events.
Dailymail.com
