Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, known for his strong views on Indo-Pak cricketing ties, on Friday sprung a surprise when he met former Pakistan captain and national coach Javed Miandad.

They met at Thackeray's suburban Bandra residence in Mumbai.

"I like Javed as a cricketer and cannot forget the lofty six he hit off Chetan Sharma to win the Australasia Cup in Sharjah in 1986," the Sena chief, an cricket buff, told reporters.

Former India skipper and vice-president of the Mumbai Cricket Association Dilip Vengsarkar accompanied Miandad to the Sena chief's residence.

Miandad said it was a 'courtesy visit'.

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda