Anurag Thakur ready to quit HPCA post

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Anurag Thakur on Wednesday urged the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh to rethink their decision of not hosting the much-awaited India-Pakistan World T20 match in Dharamsala, which is slated to be held on March 19.

“At the last moment, it is not possible to shift the venue in a World Cup. It is the duty of the state government to provide security facility and I hope the state government will rethink on their decision and will ask for more security from central government if needed,” the BJP MP said.

Thakur insisted that it was a privilege to host the T20 pinnacle event in India and that the Himachal Pradesh government would vindicate Pakistan’s stand over their team’s security if they cancel the match in Dharamsala.

“It is a privilege for India to have World T20 in Himachal. The biggest match of the World T20 between Pakistan and India will be held in Dharamsala. There will be many other big matches as well. The venues for the matches were decided a year ago. At the last moment it is not possible to shift the venue. The state government is trying to vindicate the Pakistan’s statement that their team is not secure here,” he added.

Questioning the ability of government to provide the appropriate security, Thakur said that if Assam could provide security to more than 100 Pakistan athletes during the South Asian Games, then there was no reason behind Himachal’s incompetence.

“This should not be made a political issue. The decision should be taken in the favour of the state as well for the nation,” he added. Thakur, who is the current president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Asso-ciation, said that he was even ready to step down from his HPCA post for the benefit of the state and the sport.