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HP CM`s statement has put India to shame, he has given Pakistan a chance to question country`s security: Anurag Thakur
Thakur said by raising security concerns weeks ahead of the match, Virbhadra Singh had given Pakistan a chance to question the state`s security which had brought the country a bad name.
New Delhi: Hours after the International Cricket Council (ICC) shifted the venue for the much-awaited match between India and Pakistan at ICC World Twenty20, Board of Cricket for Control in India (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur slammed the Himachal Pradesh chief minister for refusing to provide security for the marqee encounter.
Speaking to CNN IBN, Thakur said by raising security concerns weeks ahead of the match, Virbhadra Singh had given Pakistan a chance to question the state's security which had brought the country a bad name.
Defending his previous statement where he was against resuming cricketing ties with Pakistan post Pathankot terror attack, Thakur told the channel that India haven't played a bi-lateral series with their neighbours, but a World Cup was a 16-team event and the decisions were made by the ICC.
Earlier, speaking to mediapersons, Thakur said that the Indian board had tried its best to do whatever it took to host the match at HPCA.
"If the head of the state, makes some kind of statements, which is against the interest of the state, I think it is up to the cricket fans and ICC to decide how to react to that. But from our side, we have left no stone unturned, to make it possible," he said.
Thakur, who is also a BJP MP, added that they had built of the most beautiful cricket stadiums at Dharamsala, but security was not in their hands.
"HPCA if you look at, we have given world's most beautiful ground. We have created one of the best facilities available in India. Any cricketer, or any fan who has travelled to Dharamsala, has always appreciated the facilities. Now security is not in our hands," he said.
Earlier, ICC announced Eden Gardens as the new venue for the eagerly awaited match between the two rivals.
ICC chief executive David Richardson said that the new venue was announced keeping in mind Himachal Pradesh chief minister's concern over security for the marquee clash.
Soon after the announcement was made, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) asked for an explicit security assurance for the team and deferred the departure of both men, women's cricket teams to India.