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Former Pakistani cricketer and a legend of the game, Shoaib Akhtar has condemned the death of 40 CRPF jawans in the dastardly Pulwama attack that shook India last week, and also suggested that the nation's cricket team has every right to pull out of the impending ICC World Cup 2019 clash with Pakistan. However, he did criticise the former Indian cricketers for antagonising the situation in the wake of the terror strike in Kashmir Valley.
Akhtar, during a conversation with a Pakistani news channel, revealed that BCCI has expressed their urge at playing a bilateral series against Pakistan, but the Indian government has denied it every time. The Rawalpindi Express reckons that had India and Pakistan resumed their cricketing ties the broadcasters and BCCI would have earned the maximum money.
"Honest reply, BCCI wants to play with Pakistan, the government says no. Had they played with Pakistan, Star Sports and BCCI would have earned the maximum revenue. The series would have a monetary value of 600 million dollars. Do you thik they don't? Of course, they want that. Now speaking on part of their argument, they want to play with Pakistan. Our Pakistan board had mentioned that they want to play a bilateral series and you cannot deny it although the series can be held at a different venue altogether. But they have said that they have a board to run which falls under Supreme Court. That is their argument and that is logical," opined Akhtar.
The Pakistani great then went onto condemn the ghastly act that shook the nation on February 14 resulting in a nationwide outrage over ending all ties with the neighbours. However, he said that he stands by the words of their Prime Minister Imran Khan.
"Should sports stay political? Not at all. So these differences set in matters of circumstances. We strongly condemn the loss of lives. But when it comes to our country, we are one nation, united and we will stand by our Prime Minister's statement without having a second thought," Akhtar added. "They have a right to pull out. Their country was attacked and hence the decision. You cannot argue on that?"
Akhtar also criticised the former Indian cricketers for disaffecting the situation in the wake of the terror attack. Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh and few others have called for a boycott of the Pakistan clash. "Our forte is to talk about cricket and not about the political scene. When such things happen, try to create bridges as a cricketer. It is very important as players to talk about things that bring about unity rather than antagonising the situation," he added.
Meanwhile, BCCI's Committee of Administrators will hold a meeting on Friday seeking advice from Sports Ministry, Home Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs on grounds of the cricketing ties with Pakistan. And, so far, no letter has been written to the ICC yet on the matter.
https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...l-out-of-icc-world-cup-2019-ind-vs-pak/369822
Akhtar, during a conversation with a Pakistani news channel, revealed that BCCI has expressed their urge at playing a bilateral series against Pakistan, but the Indian government has denied it every time. The Rawalpindi Express reckons that had India and Pakistan resumed their cricketing ties the broadcasters and BCCI would have earned the maximum money.
"Honest reply, BCCI wants to play with Pakistan, the government says no. Had they played with Pakistan, Star Sports and BCCI would have earned the maximum revenue. The series would have a monetary value of 600 million dollars. Do you thik they don't? Of course, they want that. Now speaking on part of their argument, they want to play with Pakistan. Our Pakistan board had mentioned that they want to play a bilateral series and you cannot deny it although the series can be held at a different venue altogether. But they have said that they have a board to run which falls under Supreme Court. That is their argument and that is logical," opined Akhtar.
The Pakistani great then went onto condemn the ghastly act that shook the nation on February 14 resulting in a nationwide outrage over ending all ties with the neighbours. However, he said that he stands by the words of their Prime Minister Imran Khan.
"Should sports stay political? Not at all. So these differences set in matters of circumstances. We strongly condemn the loss of lives. But when it comes to our country, we are one nation, united and we will stand by our Prime Minister's statement without having a second thought," Akhtar added. "They have a right to pull out. Their country was attacked and hence the decision. You cannot argue on that?"
Akhtar also criticised the former Indian cricketers for disaffecting the situation in the wake of the terror attack. Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh and few others have called for a boycott of the Pakistan clash. "Our forte is to talk about cricket and not about the political scene. When such things happen, try to create bridges as a cricketer. It is very important as players to talk about things that bring about unity rather than antagonising the situation," he added.
Meanwhile, BCCI's Committee of Administrators will hold a meeting on Friday seeking advice from Sports Ministry, Home Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs on grounds of the cricketing ties with Pakistan. And, so far, no letter has been written to the ICC yet on the matter.
https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...l-out-of-icc-world-cup-2019-ind-vs-pak/369822
