Govt opposed to Indo-Pak cricket matches: Jaswant

The Government is against cricket matches between India and Pakistan bilaterally as the one-dayers between the two countries and their televised aspect made them "less cricket and more gladiatorial contests," External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said on Monday.

Replying to a question on the government's decision not to play cricket with Pakistan, Singh told reporters in New Delhi that the Sports Ministry had sought his Ministry's advice.

He informed the Sports Ministry that the cricket matches between the two countries were "less cricket and moral gladiatorial contests," Singh said.

Given the atmosphere prevailing, it was not advisable for extended cricket tours bilaterally of that nature, he said.

With regard to other games, there were bilateral matches in some disciplines including hockey and volleyball, he pointed out.