Uddhav Thackeray opposes Pak participation in Champions Trophy

Mumbai, Oct 4 (UNI) Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray has opposed Pakistan cricket team playing in the Champions trophy against the backdrop of that country's alleged support to terrorist activities in Mumbai and elsewhere.

''How one would allow the match here when the city police are having the evidence of Pakistan's involvement in the recent train blast,'' Mr Thackeray told reporters here today.

Sena activists had dug up the pitch at Wankhede stadium on October 22, 1999, to stop the Indo-Pak cricket match being played there while on January 6 of the same year they had dug up the Ferozshah Kotla ground in New Delhi.

On October 18, 1999, around 70 Sena activists had ransacked the Board of Control for Cricket in India's Brabourne stadium office.

The ICC champions trophy will be played in India between October 7 and November 5 and Pakistan will play in Mumbai only if it reaches the final. Pakistan's league matches are going to be held at Mohali and Jaipur.

The junior Thackeray also said that the Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray will clarify his stand on this issue soon.

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