Police Snipers In Action As New York Tightens Security For T20 World Cup 2024 Matches

The Nassau County Cricket International Stadium in New York will host eight T20 World Cup 2024 matches from June 3 to 12.

New York: The US Government is leaving no stone unturned as far as security is concerned in New York for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 as police snipers have been deployed around the Nassau County Cricket International Stadium to oversee the matches from June 3 to 12. The development comes after an ISIS-linked outfit threatened to attack India vs Pakistan high-voltage clash on June 9.

Built specially for the T20 World Cup 2024, the 34,000-capacity venue in Eisenhower Park in New York will host its first match on Monday when South Africa take on Sri Lanka. The Nassau County Cricket International Stadium is scheduled to host eight games including that of SA vs SL. Earlier, one warm-up game has already been played at the venue.

According to a BBC report, the security at the venue includes SWAT teams with specialist snipers alongside policemen in plain clothes. It is also understood that the police officers have been deployed to keep a watch on the four drop-in pitches in New York on a 24-hour basis apart from their normal duties.

The security forces include Nassau’s police force, New York Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the US Department Of Homeland Security and other agencies for the T20 World Cup 2024.

“The safety and security of everyone at the event is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place,” the ICC was quoted as saying to BBC Sport. “We work closely with authorities in our host countries and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event,” it added.

The park area surrounding the Nassau County Cricket International Stadium will be closed for the public on the match days in an attempt t counter any sort of threat. Fans attending the T20 World Cup 2024 matches will also go through the airport style security checking.

Reportedly, Nassau County Cricket International Stadium was built at a cost of £24m ($30m) and will be dismantled after the tournament is over.