Amit Shah rules out bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan

Adopting a hawkish stance, Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah on Saturday categorically ruled out resumption of bilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.

Clearing the air on cricketing ties between the two neighbours, he said it was all right for them to play in international tourneys, but not on each others' soil.

"Do you want to say India should not play the Champions Trophy at all," Shah retorted when questioned about Sunday upcoming clash between the two countries at the Champions Trophy finale in London.

"The issue is clear. We do not go there to play and they don't come here and play," Shah, who is also Chairman of Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), told media persons during a press conference here.

His comments came barely a few days after Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel had similarly ruled out the possibility of a bilateral cricket tourney with Pakistan.

A fortnight ago, on May 30, officials of Board of Cricket Control of India and Pakistan Cricket Board had met in Dubai to discuss resuming bilateral cricket ties, but the meeting ended inconclusively.

--IANS

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