Mumbai: Former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar felt that the decision of the Cricket Board to shift the second edition of IPL outside India was dictated by safety concerns for all, especially the players.

"The important thing is the safety of the players. If the government has apprehensions about the safety of the players when polls are held it s advisable to move it out", Vengsarkar told PTI.

The IPL came under a security cloud because its schedule, from April 10-May 24,clashed with the Lok Sabha elections and in spite of changing the fixtures thrice the Ministry of Home had not given it the green signal to date.

Vengsarkar also said that the buck stopped with the government in case the safety was compromised.

"If something happens (during the holding of the IPL in India as was planned) the government will be blamed", he pointed out.

Vengsarkar s comments came in the wake of the recent terror attack on the Sri Lanka players who were touring Pakistan.

Eight police personnel were killed and six Lanka players were also injured in the attack on March 3 at Lahore.