ICC World Twenty20: Wrong signal has been sent to the world by Himachal CM, says Anurag Thakur

New Delhi: The ongoing saga of the ICC World Twenty20 match to be held in Dharamsala on March 19 between India and Pakistan is taking a long route of uncertainity. This has forced BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur to blame the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh for creating an atmosphere of doubt.

The saga of polarizing the sport continues in India with the state's CM and Shiv Sena protesting against the match being held at the Himalayan range.

Late on Tuesday the Pakistan Cricket Board put its team departure on hold following security concerns in the hill station. The PCB wants the match to be played elsewhere in India. Also latest reports suggest that Kolkata's Eden Gardens is likely to host the Indo-Pak clash.

Thakur lashed out at Virbhadra Singh saying that the minister's comments just days ahead of the tournament raises a question mark.

"After the directive of the court, the CM saying that atmosphere is not good (in the state), raises a question mark. When you say the match can't take place nine days before the tournament (World T20), I don't think any CM of other states would make a statement like that," Thakur, said.

When asked on the likely change of venue, Thakur said that the PCB and ICC will decide on the matter and that wrong signal has been sent by the minister.

"Pakistan and ICC will do their own assessment. I can only say that a wrong signal has been sent to the world by Himachal CM. His statements nine days before a world event like this could have been avoided. The first match will played in Dharamsala today and CM saying that the the venue is not safe, it dents the image of the state and country," Thakur added.

Earlier on Tuesday the BCCI confirmed that Dharamsala T20I will go on as scheduled, before reports emereged that Pakistan government has put the clearence on hold of the team to go to India.

Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had stated that security personnel will be provided in Dharamsala even if the Chief Minister doesn't deploy policemen.

(With PTI inputs)