India-Pak Cricket Ties: Nothing to Do With Terrorism?

The news received mixed reactions from the heavyweights associated with the gentleman's game including ex-cricketers and politicians.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was quoted saying to India Today "Recently, we had an extradition from Saudi Arabia which has confirmed their (Pakistan's) role in 26/ 11. Yet you want to play cricket with them."

He also said, "As a Mumbaikar I feel what's the need of playing cricket with Pakistan? What's the urgency of playing cricket when there has been no co-operation from the other side? If you get away by doing a wrong thing once then you tend to do it again."

On the other hand, political parties appeared to be caught on the back foot. The Maharashtra Congress asked the BCCI to reconsider the decision to restart cricket ties with Pakistan, while the Congress in New Delhi said that it has always maintained that cricket and politics should be kept apart.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said "We maintain that politics and cricket should not be mixed." AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh said "The match (es) should be held. Cricket match (es) will help improve Indo-Pak relations," as reported by India Today.

BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a press release "It was decided to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan by inviting the Pakistan team for a short series between December 26 and January 10. The modalities will be worked out shortly." BCCI vice president and IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata would host the ODI matches, whereas Bangalore and Ahmedabad would be the venues for the T20 games. Shukla told TOI "I have spoken to the home and external affairs ministries, and they are okay with the proposed series."