Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray has slammed the Pakistan cricket team for offering Namaz, Islamic prayers, in the ground openly during their practice session at Mohali. The teams two teams were revving up for their encounter against each other in the semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Shiv Sena is a Hindu extremist party which has a history of giving threats to different international teams, especially Pakistan. Shiv Sena’s followers dug out the pitch at the Feroze Shah Kotla, Delhi before the green shirts were about to play a Test match against India back in 1999 under the captaincy of Wasim Akram.

Thackeray previously criticised the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, who invited his Pakistani counterpart, Yousaf Raza Gillani, to watch the mouth-watering encounter with him.

The Shiv Sena chief said that the Pakistan team could have offered their prayer inside the dressing room but in Thackeray’s opinion Shahid Afridi and company announced war against India by performing their prayer openly.

He said that, “the Pakistani team could have performed Namaaz in their rooms, but by doing so on the greens (of the Mohali stadium), they gave a clarion call for a holy war.”

There have been several security threats against the Pakistan team ever since they have arrived in India and this was the reason behind additional security being provided to the visitors. However, Thackeray objected against the extra security provided to the green shirts. He has stated that he does not understand the reason behind the tight security being given to the Pakistan team. In his opinion, all the teams should be given the same treatment, irrespective of any security threats.

“Tanks, troops, artillery and missiles have been deployed at Mohali. Is this deployment because there is a match in progress? Such preparedness is not seen during other matches. Why should it be for Pakistanis,” Shiv Sena Chief added.

India and Pakistan have gone through immense political tension since their separation in 1947. The same tension gets the better of the players on the field and that’s what makes the Indo-Pak encounters so special.

However, this is a great opportunity for the two nations to remove their differences through sports and make the best use of “Cricket Diplomacy”.

Bal Thackeray Angry Over Pakistan Team Offer Prayer in Mohali Ground
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