Undercover police snipers will be on guard at the first match of the T20 World Cup in New York on Monday, when South Africa takes on Sri Lanka.
It comes amid renewed fears of terrorist attacks at this year’s tournament after a chilling poster hinting at bloodshed was posted at Eisenhower Park on Long Island.
Last week, a pro-ISIS outlet published a graphic showing a hooded man with a rifle over his shoulder. He would say ‘Wait for the matches…’ and then, written in blood red: ‘And we will wait for you…’
The poster made reference to June 9 at the ‘Nassau Stadium’, which is when and where bitter rivals India and Pakistan will meet in a group stage match.
It also included images of drones flying over the stadium and a stick of dynamite with a ticking clock. DailyMail.com understands, however, that the cartel has not prompted US authorities to raise the threat level of an attack.
Undercover police snipers among measures being taken at T20 World Cup venue in New York
Terrorist attacks feared at T20 World Cup after chilling poster spread
An International Cricket Council (ICC) spokesperson said in a statement: “The safety of everyone at the event is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place.”
However, BBC Sport reported on Monday that the Nassau County Police Department has beefed up security.
The measures taken will include SWAT teams with specialized snipers, as well as several plainclothes police officers on the ground.
It is also claimed that agents from the narcotics division will monitor the four playing fields that were grown in Australia to ensure that they are not sabotaged.
The T20 tournament will be held in the United States and the Caribbean between June 1 and 29.
Eight games will be held in a newly built temporary stadium in Eisenhower Park, 30 miles east of Manhattan.
They include the highlight match of the group stage, when India and Pakistan collide in a sold-out clash at the 34,000-capacity Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
The ICC previously downplayed fears of a terrorist threat to the tournament following reports that the Islamic State had encouraged attacks.
Bitter rivals India and Pakistan will clash in New York in a highly anticipated match on June 9.
Earlier this month, as reports of threats circulated online, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley said: “Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism in its many and varied expressions is an ever-present danger in the 20th century world. XXI”. .’
“Because bad actors can choose to behave badly in any way possible, it is virtually impossible to completely seal all opportunities.”
“However, to mitigate these dangers, at local and regional levels we have remained alert to many threats and, individually or together, we have our intelligence and other security agencies working to protect the population in the countries and in the venues throughout the tournament”.
The ICC and Cricket West Indies did not confirm that the threat had emanated from the Islamic State, whose propaganda channel, Nashir-e Pakistan, had encouraged attacks on sporting events.
But in a joint statement, the ICC and CWI said: “We work closely with authorities in host countries and cities, and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any identified risks to our event.”
“We want to assure all stakeholders that the safety of everyone at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust safety plan in place.”