ICC World Twenty20: BCCI in fix as Himachal Pradesh Government refuses to provide security for Indo-Pak tie

The much awaited clash between India-Pakistan in World Twenty20 is in jeopardy as Himachal Pradesh Government expressed its inability to provide security for the match, leaving BCCI in a bind with board secretary Anurag Thakur saying that the State Government should not "play politics."

On March 19 the game is to be played at Dharamsala but its fate is now uncertain as the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh wrote a letter to Home Minister stating that the State Government cannot provide security for the match.

Reacting sharply to Singh's statement, Anurag Thakur, who is also a BJP minister in Lok Sabha, said the state new the scheduled months in advance but did not specify any such concerns at that time.

"The venues of World Cup were decided one year ago, the schedule of the matches were decided six months ago. People all over have made bookings and it is not fair to give such statement that the last minute," Anurag Thakur told reporters.''

"The congress-led state government is clearly playing politics. Hundreds of Pakistani Athletes were given security during the South Asian Games in Assam, why can't the Himachal Pradesh Government do the same?" Thakur asked.

Those politicizing this cricket issue hv shown thr own shortcomings & incapability, are working to tarnish image of HP & the country. @BCCI

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) March 1, 2016