MUMBAI, JAN 11: Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray today declared that he would ``under no circumstances'' allow the Pakistani cricket team to play in India.``My view is clear on the tour. Now, the bat is with me, the ball is in their court,'' the Sena chief said, appearing unperturbed by the contradictory signals emerging from the Bharatiya Janata Party camp.He was speaking to mediapersons after inaugurating son Uddhav's exhibition of photographs at the Jehangir Art Gallery here.He however asserted that there was ``absolutely no threat'' to the Sena-BJP alliance government in the state.``We have differences, but it will not affect the government at the Centre or in Maharashtra.''BJP leaders have promised protection to the Pakistani players during their tour of India.On the arrest of Sena workers in New Delhi for digging up the Ferozeshah Kotla pitch, Thackeray said he has since asked his party workers to stage demonstrations outside the Delhi Commissioner's office ``to condemn the illegal detentionof nationalists persons.''Thackeray's statements coincided with the announcement in New Delhi of a change in the Test match venues.Chennai will now host the first Test - January 28 to February 1 - while the second will be played in Delhi from February 4-8, cricket board sources saidBoard of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jaywant Lele however maintained there was no change in the original schedule.The venue swap was made following a request from the Delhi police which said the force would be busy with the Republic Day arrangements and other related functions besides preparations for the 51st death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on January 31.``We preferred this date (Feb 4 to 8) as lot of cricket fans will be coming from outside the capital,'' said Delhi Police Commissioner V N Singh.``We are prepared to host the tie on any dates BCCI wants,'' said BCCI vice-president C K Khanna.
