Former captain Imran Khan feels Pakistan should not play against India in Dharamsala in the marquee ICC World T20 2016, March 19.
The legendary all-rounder was apparently disappointed with the statements made by the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh regarding the India vs Pakistan, which is scheduled to be played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
The Himchal Pradesh CM had earlier expressed his government's inability to provide adequate security to the players for the high-voltage encounter.
Imran Khan feels the statements that the CM made were unnecessary.
"The statement by the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister is an irresponsible one and is totally against the standards of hospitality and hosting. The chief minister's statements clearly promote hate," Imran Khan was quoted as saying by PTI.
"Amid this situation, I don't believe the Pakistan team should play at Himachal Pradesh."
Later, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur had assured the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that all the Pakistani players will be provided with top grade security.
BCCI and ICC chief Shashank Manohar too called up PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan to re-assure him.
The PCB chairman was not really satisfied with the verbal assurance from BCCI. He then demanded for a written confirmation that their players will be safe in India during their participation in the ICC World T20 2016. PCB also threatened to pull out of the entire ICC World T20.
The future of the India vs Pakistan encounter and other matches involving Shahid Afridi & co. now depends on a three-member team, sent to India to do a ground level check on the security arrangements.
