Pakistan Saturday denied suggestions that India's stunning first-ever cricket Test victory on Pakistani soil this week was arranged to help Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee win next month's elections.
The resumption of sporting ties between India and Pakistan after a 14-year deadlock was part of confidence-building measures (CBMs), foreign office spokesman Masood Khan said.
"Winning or losing is not part of CBMs," Khan said, responding to a question at a news briefing asking whether the defeat was to help Vajpayee win and give a further boost to the steadily improving ties between the rivals.
"When you play games you can win or lose and here you have to demonstrate sportsmanship."
He added: "It (the cricket series) has improved the atmosphere between the two countries and people have watched these matches with great interest and enthusiasm".