Cricket matches cannot be equated with dialogue: PM

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today justified India's decision to pull out of the Asian Test championship starting later this month saying it was not the opportune time to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan.

Replying to a question from reporters in Lucknow, Vajpayee refused to compare cricket ties between India and Pakistan with a dialogue between the two countries. "Talks are always held between two leaders or two Governments but there is a huge crowd (Jamghat) in a cricket match and it (Indo-Pak relations) is a very sensitive matter," Vajpayee said after one-day tour of his constituency.

Earlier, the Indian Government had refused permission for the cricket team to travel to Pakistan to play in an Asian Test Championship match in September.