Shiv Sena welcomes BJP's move to oppose India-Pak cricket series

The Shiv Sena on Tuesday welcomed Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) decision to oppose the proposed India-Pakistan cricket series in December, adding that it has been against the two countries playing since the time party founder Bal Thackeray raised the issue.

"This issue was raised by Bal Thackeray ji and has always been raised by us. Now if Bharatiya Janata Party leaders are picking up this issue and are not in favour of cricket matches with Pakistan, then we welcome it," senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told ANI.

"Nothing changes: terrorism in Kashmir was there years ago and it is there now as well. Bloodshed is always going on in Kashmir. Pakistan has not changed," he added.

Earlier on Monday, former home secretary and MP from Bihar's Arrah, RK Singh, raised the issue in the Lok Sabha during zero hour.

Meanwhile, PCB chairman Shahryar Khan, who met Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya in Kolkata earlier on Monday, proposed five series in eight years between the two Asian neighbours.

Addressing the media along with Dalmiya, Khan said the series between Indian and Pakistan are more important than any other series in the world.

The last time the two nations played was in 2012-13 when Pakistan visited India for a three-match One Day International (ODI) and two-match Twenty20 series.