Kolkata, Apr 26 (V7N)- Former Indian cricket captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has called for a complete severance of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, stressing that terrorism and sports cannot go together.

Speaking to reporters in Kolkata on Friday (April 25), Ganguly said, “Yes, 100 percent, it should be done (severing ties with Pakistan). Strict action is necessary. It is not a joke that such incidents will continue to happen year after year.”

Ganguly’s comments come amid heightened tensions following the terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of several Indian tourists. In light of growing public sentiment, he supported calls for India to take a strong stand against Pakistan, including in the sporting arena.

Due to the absence of bilateral cricket series since 2012–13, India and Pakistan currently face each other only in ICC and ACC tournaments. Reports suggest that the BCCI might soon write to the ICC requesting an end to the practice of grouping India and Pakistan together in tournaments. Ganguly endorsed such a move, saying, "Terrorism is never acceptable."

The last bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan was held more than a decade ago. Since then, cricketing ties have been limited strictly to international multi-nation events.

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