'Terrorism Cannot Be Tolerated' - Ex BCCI Chief Sourav Ganguly Calls For India to Break Ties With Pakistan

Former Indian captain and ex Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly has said that India should break all cricketing ties with Pakistan, saying "terrorism cannot be tolerated".

Ganguly made these comments on the back of the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, leading to the Central government announcing several diplomatic measures. Amidst all the measures taken, there has also been call for BCCI to take a strong stance against Pakistan.

Sourav Ganguly on India-Pakistan ties after Pahalgam Terror Attack

Speaking to ANI, the former India skipper Ganguly agreed saying, "100 per cent, this (breaking ties with Pakistan) should be done. Strict action is necessary. It is no joke that such things happen every year. Terrorism cannot be tolerated."

Over the years, India and Pakistan have only met in ICC events, such as the T20 and 50 Over World Cups, the ICC Champions Trophy, and Asian Cricket Council (ACC)-organised Asia Cup events.

The two nations have not met in bilateral series due to strained political relations. India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, when they participated in the Asia Cup. The two arch-rivals last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 in India, comprising white-ball matches.

During the recently organised ICC Champions Trophy, India did not travel to Pakistan; instead, they played all their matches in Dubai under a hybrid model similar to the Asia Cup a few months ago when their matches were held in Sri Lanka.

Also, the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman, Jay Shah, has decided on the hybrid model for all ICC events in the 2024-27 cycle, which will be held in India or Pakistan. But the recent turn of events may not allow for the two sides to face off again on the cricket field.

Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government has closed the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them less than 40 hours to return to their country, and reduced the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides.