The India vs Pakistan World T20 clash has come under a dark cloud after sections of the society, including politicians from Himachal Pradesh, asked the central government and the BCCI to shift the venue for the match. However, IPL chairman, Rajiv Shukla does not want politics to interfere with cricket, and as a result is keen to keep the high-profile clash where it has been originally shceduled -- in Dharamsala.
Bilateral cricket ties between the two countries have halted due to poor diplomatic relations between the two nations, but with the World T20 being an ICC event, India and Pakistan will face one another in the competition. India defeated Pakistan in their last fixture, Saturday, during the Asia Cup in Bangladesh.
"Pakistan cricket team will visit India because of its commitment to the ICC. There should be no politics over cricket," PTI quoted Shukla as saying.
Voices have been raised from several quarters to shift the venue for the India-Pakistan clash, which is scheduled to take place at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, March 19.
Earlier in the month, the Himachal Pradesh Ex-Servicemen League asked the BCCI to change the venue. After which, politicians also joined the chorus. Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh and transport minister GS Bali also said they want the venue to be shifted.
All these protests from several quarters have come after brave soldiers lost their lives during the terror attack at an air base in Pathankot in January. Two of those soldiers, who lost their lives, are from Himachal Pradesh. They want the game to be taken away from the state, as a sign of respect to the martyrs. The memorial is also located quite close to the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
BJP leader, Shanta Kumar even wrote a letter to Narendra Modi, requesting the PM to change the venue.
