WT20 row: HP Govt. sending 'wrong message' to world about India, says BCCI

Accusing Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadara Singh of sending a wrong message to the world by creating a furore over the security for the India-Pakistan WorldTwenty20 match at Dharamsala, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday said it is now up to the state government to figure out if they are capable of holding the match on the decided venue.

"When the Chief Minister says that the situation is unstable and that there should be no match, it worsens the conditions and a wrong message is sent. I think the state government needs to decide if they are capable of holding the match. After telling the court that they can provide security, he is going back on his words," BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur told the media here.

Asserting that it was unheard of a Chief Minister going back on his words, he added that the former was not creating a favourable situation with just nine days to go for the much anticipated match.

"A wrong message is being sent to the whole world about India and Himachal. Such a big event is going to happen and nine days ago, he is saying such things," Thakur added.

Meanwhile, the cloud over Pakistan's participation in the World T20 turned murkier after Islamabad asserted that no security has been assured by India and added that they would participate in the series only after a 'public assurance' of absolute safety by New Delhi.

Sources in the Pakistan Government told ANI that there are serious concerns over the safety of their players, especially in Dharamsala, and added that no assurance has yet been given by New Delhi.

Sources added that the team would visit India only after a public assurance was given by the government.

However, tournament director M.V. Sridhar had said earlier that the much-anticipated match between India and Pakistan will be held as scheduled in Dharamsala.

Citing security concerns, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier delayed the departure of the women and men's national cricket team to India for the World T20.

"The final decision on team's departure to India for T20 World Cup will be taken after a formal go ahead by the interior ministry," Dawn quoted PCB Director Media Amjad Hussain as saying.

"PCB has delayed national women's and men's cricket team from travelling to India," said Hussain.

Earlier, the team was scheduled to leave on Wednesday to take part in the World T20.