Indo-Pak cricket can only be normalised at govt level: Sethi

Pakistan Cricket Board's interim chairman Najam Sethi today said that until relations are improved with India at the government level, it would be difficult to restore normal cricket ties between the two countries.
"The fact is that since the Mumbai terror attacks the Indian establishment took a policy decision to punish and isolate Pakistan and cricket obviously was among the affected areas. It is a decision that is part of their foreign policy," Sethi said.
"They say technically our players can play in the Indian Premier League but practically it is not happening. Not allowing our players in the IPL is a political decision it has nothing to do with cricket," he said.

Sethi, a senior journalist and political analyst, noted that even if the BCCI wanted it could not go against the decision of the establishment or government.
"I have already told the Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif that the only way our players will be able to go and play in the IPL and cricket relations can be restored properly with India is when relations are normalised at the government to government level," he told 'Geo News'.
"I am convinced when the Prime Minister is able to convince the Indian government and establishment that we are serious about having good ties and there wouldn't be a new Mumbai incident is when we can move forward.