India's decision immature: Rameez

Former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja on Monday termed India's refusal to allow cricketing relations with his country as 'unfortunate' and 'an immature step' and said politics should have been kept away from sports.

"I am sure history will see this (India's refusal to play against Pakistan) as an immature step," Raja said in an informal chat with reporters.

"Politics should stay away from cricket. There is no point in cricket boards making moral judgements," he said.

Raja, who was in Delhi to participate in a television chat show 'Bat Chat', to be launched soon on Doordarshan, said he does not expect the cricketing relations to resume soon.

"Not in the near future... Its a sad story... (Indian) Cricket Board is a toothless body. They want to play but are not being let to play.

"The problem with us in Pakistan (cricket establishment) is whom do we talk to (in India to resume cricket ties)," he said.

He said the issue has been discussed at length in the chat show - 26 episodes of which are ready - that claims to have candid and hard-hitting views of some former stalwarts on relevant matters of the game.

The show, which has been conceived and designed by production house 'Network One', has spin wizard Bishen Singh Bedi, Tony Greig, Arjuna Ranatunga and Sanjay Manjrekar as the other participants in the discussions.

Also read:
Pakistan says future matches with India in doubt
Govt disallows cricket tour to Pakistan
Foreign ministry to decide on Pakistan Test

Mail Cricket Editor