New Delhi: Uncertainty about the much awaited ICC World T20 India-Pakistan match in Dharamsala on March 19 continues as sources have revealed that centre won’t intervene citing law and order is the state issue. However BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur is hopeful that the Himachal Pradesh government will give the green signal for the global event.
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I am very hopeful (of the match taking place). The meeting (with CM yesterday) was held in a very positive atmosphere. The state government will also try and speak to those (families and few others) who have raised concerns. I am very hopeful of a positive outcome. The state government have to announce that the match is on. From the BCCI's side, the match is on," Thakur said here on Thursday, following a meeting with state Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.
Thakur said he expects the match to go ahead as scheduled despite the Himachal government stating that it does not want to host the game.
The BJP MP further said a decision was taken that any bilateral match between India and Pakistan will not be held in Dharamsala but the World T20 game must take place as the state and country's image is at stake.
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It was decided (in the meeting) that in case of a bilateral series between India and Pakistan, no matches should be held in Dharamsala. But the venues for the World T20 were decided a year ago and to organise the match elsewhere now is almost impossible. So we (BCCI) and the state government are making our best efforts to sort out the issue at the earliest.
Bilateral series is a different ball game. But this is a world event and India has the honour to host the event. We are not hosting with any other country. India is the sole host and onus is on us to make it a successful event," he said.
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Asked about the objections raised by families of martyrs post the Pathankot attack, Thakur said:
We all condemn the Pathankot attack. But at the same time, we can't bring politics to sports. We have the utmost respect for our martyred soldiers and their families but some of the people (mainly politicians) who are objecting to the game are same people who let Pakistan play in Dharamsala post Kargil War. In 2005, these same people were seen with the Pakistani players," said the BCCI secretary, who is also heading Himachal cricket.
Sources have also revealed that if the match at the iconic stadium does not take place, Kolkata 's Eden Gardens can also be an option. Thakur said the BCCI doesn't have a Plan B if the match is not allowed to take place. "There is no Plan B. It is anyway not easy to make changes at the last moment," said Thakur.
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He said the Chief Minister has assured that there is enough security personnel in the state for the big match.
I asked the CM that if there is a shortage of security personnel in HP, you can also take the help of central government. But he has assured that the state has enough policemen to provide security," Thakur added.
