ISLAMABAD: Former cricket greats believe BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s revelation that India won’t come to Pakistan to play the 2023 Asia Cup, and the event can instead be played on a neutral venue, is ‘absolutely wrong’.
Sir Viv Richards, the legendary West Indian batsman, has thrown his support behind Pakistan after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chose not to send their squad across the border for next year’s Asia Cup.
Richards is part of the Pakistan Junior League (PJL) as a mentor of the Gwadar Sharks. He opined Pakistan is a secure place to play cricket.
“I feel at home whenever I’m in Pakistan. I don’t face any issues in Pakistan and feel extremely safe here,” said Richards as quoted by local media outlet.
The 70-year-old also emphasized the significance of matches between neighboring countries.
“It is always great to watch matches between Pakistan and India. I want to see these teams clash more often, and hopefully, things will change in the future,” he said.
It should be mentioned that BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan following the AGM on Tuesday.
The Asia Cup in 2023 will be a 50-over event to prepare for the following year’s ODI World Cup in India. Due to tense relations between the two countries, India has not traveled to Pakistan since 2008.
The archrivals last played a bilateral series in 2012, when Pakistan toured India for limited-overs matches. The two countries have only met in ICC and ACC competitions recently.
Former right-arm pacer Mohammad Sami, former left-arm fast-bowler Saleem Jaffer and former all-rounder Iqbal Imam also came out to denounce Indian decision, saying sports and politics should be kept separate.
“Absolutely not,” Sami told media, when asked if India’s decision to not visit Pakistan amidst the hot political climate between the Asian neighbours was right.
“Mixing politics and sports is never right.”
Jaffer couldn’t comment on whether India’s decision was right or wrong, or whether PCB should take a strong stance if the 2023 Asia Cup is shifted to a neutral venue, due to his work with the Pakistan board.
However, he did condemn mixing sports and politics. “Sports and politics should be kept separate. Sports is supposed to actually bring people closer, who are divided by political or physical boundaries,” Jaffer added.
Imam reminded India that Pakistani government and the PCB always took a step forward to heal the rift.
“Their decision is absolutely wrong,” Imam told The Express Tribune.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board always come on the front foot to invite India to play and go there too [for the 2016 T20 World Cup].”
Imam added that Pakistan shouldn’t boycott the 2023 ODI World Cup, even if India doesn’t visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
“If someone is doing something wrong that doesn’t mean you should too. We have a big heart as a country and as a people, so we shouldn’t back out of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
“The ICC should step in too and ask India to visit Pakistan for Asia Cup.”
