Sena leader gives veiled threat on World Cup final involving Pakistan

Two days ahead of the ICC World Cup, a senior Shiv Sena leader has put a question mark on any final match which involves Pakistan.

"You all know Sena chief Bal Thackeray's views. If the Pakistan team reaches the final (scheduled in Mumbai), whether to allow them to play, the Sena chief will decide," Manohar Joshi said today.

"Thackeray will decide (whether to allow Pak team to play or not)," Joshi, whose party has been vehemently opposing cricket ties between the two neighbours, for Pakistan's 'support to terrorism in India', told reporters.

The former Lok Sabha speaker's statement comes a day after Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said a possible duel with India in the World Cup final would be ideal for the tournament and a boost to international cricket, drawing billions of viewers.

Arch-rivals Pakistan and India are in separate groups of the 14-team World Cup, jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and starts on February 19.

The April 2 final is being held at the renovated Wankhede Stadium here. MNS leader Shishir Shinde, then with the Sena, dug up the Wankhede pitch in 1991 to oppose Indo-Pak matches.