Shiv Sena not game for Pak in WC final at Wankhede

On eve of the cricket World Cup, the Shiv Sena has raised its pitch against Pakistan. Senior leader Manohar Joshi has hinted that the party would not allow Pakistan to enter Mumbai, if it qualifies for the World Cup final.

Joshi was speaking to the media after a meeting of MPs that was called by the Chief Minister in Mumbai on Thursday. " We had opposed Pakistan earlier and our opposition continues. But now things have changed," Joshi said when quizzed about the party's stand as regards Pakistan. He added, " First of all, I don't think they (Pakistan) will qualify for the finals.

But if they do, the Sena will have to decide whether to allow them to enter Mumbai or not. The final decision of course will be taken by Balasaheb." Interestingly, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi had recently said that a Pakistan- India World Cup final would be ideal.

Though a staunch cricket lover, in the past Thackeray had directed the party's opposition to Pakistani players, both in Tests and ODIs, as well as in IPL. The World Cup final is scheduled to be held on April 2 at the Wankhede Stadium, the site of the 1991 pitch defacement by Sena activists in protest of a proposed ODI series between India and Pakistan.