Pawar shouldn't have raked up Indo-Pak matches: Thackeray

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has flayed International Cricket Council president Sharad Pawar for his statement that he will push for resumption of Indo-Pak bilateral series, saying even thinking of such a thing is "sin".

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has flayed International Cricket Council president Sharad Pawar for his statement that he will push for resumption of Indo-Pak bilateral series, saying even thinking of such a thing is "sin".

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"There was no need for Pawar to dig up the (matches with Pakistan) issue sans valid reasons. Why is he indulging in such unnecessary pursuits?" Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana on Saturday.

"Even thinking of resumption of Indo-Pak cricket matches is a sin," Thackeray said. "He (Pawar) knows about cricket. We don't. But we are cricket lovers and our patriotism takes precedence over this craze for the game," he said.

"Recent visits by the home minister and the foreign secretary to Pakistan is a welcome sign. If India and Pakistan start playing and it influences the bilateral relations, and also if both the governments permit, we will be happy to encourage (resumption of matches)," Pawar had said after assuming the post.

Thackeray also wanted to know if Pawar, "who has said he would work 'full-time' as ICC chief, would quit as Union Agriculture Minister or shift ICC headquarters from Dubai to Delhi".