ISLAMABAD, Jan 18: The International Cricket Council has decided to shift Women’s World Cup matches involving Pakistan from Mumbai to Cuttack due to security concerns.

Right-wing party Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt Pakistan's matches in Mumbai, and an official familiar with the decision to switch cities said Pakistan will play its first-round matches 1,350 kilometres (850 miles) away in Cuttack.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment.

It means the tournament, which was to be based entirely in Mumbai, will be played in two cities.

This week, eight Pakistani field hockey players set to play for Mumbai in the new Indian Hockey League were sent home without playing a match because of rising tensions on the border in the disputed Kashmir region.—AP