No bilateral cricket ties with Pak: Amit Shah

In a significant statement that clears the air on India’s cricketing ties and sporting policy with neighbour Pakistan, BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday said that the two countries would play in international tournaments and venues but not in each other’s country.

“Do you want to say that India should not play Champions Trophy at all?” Shah wanted to know when posed a question on the eve of the India-Pakistan clash in Champions Trophy finals in London. It is noteworthy to mention here that the Champions Trophy was inaugurated with an Indo-Pak match that the men-in-blue won.

Shah, who is also the chairman of Gujarat Cricket Association, said: “The issue is clear…we do not go there and play, they do not come here and play.”

A few days ago, union sports minister Vijay Goel had said India cannot have a bilateral cricket series with Pakistan as it had crossed the line by “sponsoring terrorism” in the country. “For everything, there is a Lakshmana Rekha. But when the line is crossed then a message has to be given. This (boycott) is a message,” he had stated.

It is to be mentioned here that the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Pakistan Cricket Board had met in Dubai on 30 May to discuss bilateral cricketing ties between the two countries, however, there was no conclusive outcome.