Patriotic games: Ex-servicemen oppose hosting India-Pakistan ICC World Twenty20 match at Dharamsala

New Delhi: Even as PCB awaits Pakistan government's nod for their participation in next month’s ICC World Twenty20 in India, Himachal Pradesh's Ex-servicemen League has voiced their objection to the scheduled Indo-Pak match at Dharamsala.

"Terror and T20 cannot go together and the BCCI must review its decision after terrorist attack on Pathankot Airbase in which two Jawans of Himchal, Sanjeevan Rana and Jagdish Chand were killed. BCCI must honour and respect the sentiments of families of martyrs and other patriotic people," Chairman of the League, Vijay Singh Mankotia said in a statement issued here on Thursday.

The troubled-neighbours are scheduled to play their World Twenty20 group match on March 19 at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.

After terrorist attack on Air Base at Pathankot, the BCCI should try to understand and respect the feelings not only of families of deceased soldiers but also of families of all patriotic Indians, demanding stern action against Pakistan and empathize with ex-servicemen and serving defence personnel.

"By holding Indo-Pak T-20 match against Pakistan, the BCCI would be insulting the sacred memory of martyrs and undermining their heroic deeds and sacrifices and we appeal to the BCCI not to heap insult to injury as the patriotism and nationalism of BCCI would also be on test," Mankotia, a former minister asserted.

(With PTI inputs)