Security concerns force Pakistan World Cup women's team to sleep in stadium

The entire squad is living in the club house of the Barabati stadium in the eastern city of Cuttack where Pakistan are due to play its matches in the eight-nation tournament starting on Thursday.

"I can confirm the team is staying at the Barabati stadium," an ICC spokeswoman told AFP from Cuttack.

"The ICC considered all options and the best security for the teams, and we have chosen to use the Barabati stadium club house."

The Pakistan women's cricket teamu00a0in India for the World Cup are staying in the stadium premises instead of a hotel for security reasons. File Pic/AFP

Cuttack was added as a last-minute venue after the right-wing nationalist Shiv Sena party threatened to disrupt Pakistan's matches in Mumbai, where the entire tournament was originally scheduled to be played.

Matches in group B -- featuring Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa -- were shunted to Cuttack, where Pakistan will remain if they qualify for the second round.

But the Pakistani team will still have to travel to Mumbai if they make the final at the Brabourne stadium on February 17.

Pakistan team manager Ayesha Ashar said the entire squad was happy with the arrangements made at the Barabati stadium.

"The arrangements are more like we get in Pakistan," Ashar was quoted as saying by PTI. "We are happy with the facilities provided to us by the organisers."

Pakistan open their campaign against Australia at the Barabati stadium on Friday.