Shiv Sena Threat for Pakistan Team in Cricket World Cup 2011

Cricket World Cup 2011 has been kicked off after a glittering Opening ceremony in Dhaka. The event has been jointly hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Unfortunately Pakistan was stripped of its rights as co-host of the 2011 World Cup by the ICC on 17th April, 2009 due to concerns about the “uncertain security situation” prevailing in the country, especially in the aftermath of the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore.

Shiv SenaArch Rivals Pakistan and India are placed in separate groups and Pakistani Skipper Shahid Afridi finds it attention-grabbing if both the teams would reach the Finals of mega event, scheduled to be held on April 2 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. But this situation is a matter of concern for none other than Bal Thakery as the Chief of Extremist Indian party, Shiv Sena, has threatened Pakistani cricketers if the team makes it to the final of Cricket World Cup 2011. Shiv Sena have had objected Pakistan-India cricket ties in the past too. Interestingly the venue of the World Cup 2011 Final is also the site of the 1991 pitch defacement by Shiv Sena activists in protest of a proposed one-day series between India and Pakistan.

According to a report published in The Hindu, Former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi said,

“You all know Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s views. If the Pakistan team reaches the final (scheduled in Mumbai), whether to allow them to play, the Sena chief will decide,”

A usual pressure tactic by Shiv Sena but This could probably be another reason for Pakistani team to reach the finals. This is not an ideal time for Pakistan team unfortunately after the Spot Fixing case decision against the Pakistani trio but Hopes are still high and If Pakistan Cricket team can make it to Finals of the Mega event it would definitely give a boost to the cricket in Pakistan.


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