Boycott match involving Pakistan in Mumbai, says Bal Thackeray

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Sunday called for a boycott of any cricket match involving Pakistan, saying such a move would serve as condemnation of terror activities sponsored by Islamabad.

In a hard-hitting article in the Sena's mouthpiece Saamna, he said, "We have been saying for years now that there should not be any cricket match between Pakistan and India. We are also cricket lovers but not at the cost of our national pride."

The Pakistani team is in India to take part in the 10-nation Champions Trophy, the finals of which will be played in Mumbai.

Citing the July 11 train bombings here in which nearly 200 persons were killed, Thackeray asked, "How will the country progress if we are not even able to demonstrate our condemnation of Pakistan's terrorist activity by boycotting cricket match with it?"

On the heightened security around the stadium here to prevent Shiv Sena members from disturbing the match or digging up the pitch, he asked, "Why so much effort to protect our enemies?"