Indian Politician Bal Thackeray criticises Cricket Diplomacy with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755
Bal Thackeray, the chief of Indian Hindu fundamentalist group Shiv Sena, has criticised Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for inviting his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gillani to watch the semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2011, which was played between
arch rivals Pakistan and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391 30.
Thackeray argued that the Indian government should never have invited the Pakistan PM under the pretext of cricket diplomacy. The leader of the Hindu extremist organization argued as to why the government of India should restrict its cricket diplomacy to
Pakistan. He criticised the government for not officially inviting the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 and India on the April 2.
Speaking to journalists a visibly agitated Thackeray said, “We came to know from media that Lankan president is coming for the final. We would like to know has he been invited officially. If no such invitation has been extended, then are we to presume that
the special offer of cricket diplomacy was limited to Pakistan"
He suggested that a similar cricket diplomacy should be initiated with Sri Lanka as well. “Why can't India indulge in cricket diplomacy with Lanka for the sake of our Tamil brethren there,” he asked.
India beat Pakistan in the much hyped semi-final which was said to be the best contest in this year’s World Cup.
Earlier, the Shiv Sena had announced that it would not allow India to host any games involving Pakistan. Shiv Sena has always opposed matches between India and Pakistan especially on Indian soil.
At the start of the World Cup, the group had warned that it would not allow Pakistan to play on Indian soil if the country managed to reach the final. In the past members of the group have been known for vandalising cricket pitches to stop Pakistan from
playing.
The threat was considered serious and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) requested the Indian government to provide the Pakistan players state-level security when it became clear that Pakistan would have to play their semi-final in India against the home side.
Apart from the semi-final, Pakistan played all their group matches in Sri Lanka while the quarter-final was played in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747.
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