Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday opposed the India-Pakistan T20 match scheduled in Dharamshala on March 19. Singh told media that given the “attitude of Pakistan towards India” and the soldiers in Himachal Pradesh who have lost their lives because of recent terror attacks, the match should be played elsewhere. He also said he did not object if it was played anywhere else in the country, and that he had written to the home minister about it.

Following Singh’s remarks, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shahryar Khan has asked that the Indian government ensure the safety of Pakistan’s cricket team during the match. Anurag Thakur, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said that venues for the T20 World Cup matches were decided a year ago, and asked why it was being objected to at the last minute.