Ganguly’s Strong Statement: Calls for Ending Cricket Relations with Pakistan

National News: Former Indian cricket captain and former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Friday demanded the complete abolition of cricket relations with Pakistan after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. 26 people were killed in this attack. Ganguly also emphasized the immediate need for strict action in the context of increasing cases of terrorism.

Talking to reporters in Kolkata, Ganguly said, "This should be done completely. Strict action is required. It is no laugh that such incidents are happening every year. Terrorism cannot be tolerated anymore."

India-Pakistan clash only in ICC events

Cricket matches between India and Pakistan are limited to ICC competitions in recent years, such as T20 and 50-over World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup. In these tournaments, the two teams have confronted each other, but there was no match between the two countries in the bilateral series.

No clash in bilateral series

Ganguly also said that despite the biggest rivalry of cricket between India and Pakistan, there has been no bilateral series since 2012-13. Political stress and safety are a major cause of concerns behind this. India has not visited Pakistan since 2008, due to which there was no bilateral match between the two countries.

Hybrid model used in Champions Trophy

Sourav Ganguly's statement came when India recently refused to play in Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy. Instead, the tournament was held under the Hybrid model, in which India's matches were transferred to Dubai.