Bomb threat delayed GT20 clash between Montreal Tigers and Winnipeg Hawks
A bomb threat delayed the start of the GT20 clash between Montreal Tigers and Winnipeg Hawks on Friday in Brampton. Although the organisers cited technical reasons as the cause, a running scroll on one of the TV broadcasts said there were 'security issues,' after a suspicious package was found.
The second edition of the Global T20 Canada began on July 25. However, the second match of the tournament had to be reduced down to 12-overs-a-side after a security scare at the stadium in Brampton.
A tweet from the tournament organisers at 4:50 local time – 20 minutes after play was scheduled to start – said that, "play has been delayed due to some technical reasons." However, a running scroll on one of the official TV broadcasts of the tournament revealed that it was indeed a security issue.
Although little information has been released officially, ESPNCricinfo spoke to some of the players from both sides to unearth some truth regarding the 90-minute delay.
"Routine sniffer dogs checks found a substance that alerted security," one player told ESPNcricinfo.
The players confirmed they weren't allowed to enter the ground after a suspicious package had been left unattended at the venue. The police immediately closed-off the venue, and employed bomb-sniffer dogs. A number of fans took to Twitter to post images of long queues outside the ground.
After the package was deemed not dangerous, the players and fans were allowed inside. The reduced-overs match went off without any further hiccups. Montreal Tigers won by 24 runs, defending their total of 135, courtesy Sunil Narine's 30-ball 59.
Cricket FootBall Kabaddi
Basketball Hockey
SportsCafe