Amit Shah rules out resumption of Indo-Pak bilateral cricket ties, says both countries will continue playing at world level

New Delhi :
BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday ruled out the resumption of any bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan anytime soon but said two countries would continue to play against each other in international tournaments.

“India and Pakistan will continue to play at international tournaments but neither India plays in Pakistan nor Pakistan plays in India,” Shah, who heads the Gujarat Cricket Association, said, a day ahead of the clash between the arch rivals in the Champions Trophy final in England.

Shah, who is in Maharashtra on a three-day visit to strengthen the party in the state, and is scheduled to meet Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, said BJP would consult its allies before finalising the NDA’s presidential candidate.

“We will consult all our allies and then reach a decision on the presidential poll nominee,” Shah told a press conference.

He was responding to questions about ally Shiv Sena, which has often been critical of the BJP and the Modi government, suggesting the name of M S Swaminathan, known for steering India?s Green Revolution, as its presidential choice.

ICC Champions Trophy 2017, IND vs PAK, Final: Just another game of cricket for us, says Virat Kohli ahead of marquee clash

The Shiv Sena had earlier said it may choose an “independent” path in the election to the highest constitutional office. It had backed Congress nominees—

Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee—in the last two presidential elections.