'This is the decision of BCCI and PCB' - Gautam Gambhir reacts to Ramiz Raja's statement on Pakistan's World Cup participation

World cricket has been jolted by PCB president Ramiz Raja's inflammatory statement outlining Pakistan's perspective on the ODI World Cup 2023, which is slated to be staged in India. A month after BCCI secretary and ACC president Jay Shah announced that Team India wouldn't be visiting Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, Ramiz stated that Pakistan would boycott the ODI World Cup next year if BCCI remain true to their words.

A report from last month, before the T20 World Cup, stated that the BCCI will permit players to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, which would be the first time in more than 14 years.  Shah, though, dismissed the rumors in a way that infuriated PCB. They had responded to the announcement with a press release that demanded an ACC meeting.

Now, former Indian cricketer, Gautam Gambhir has reacted to Ramiz's vehement statement. Gambhir refused to comment when asked about his thoughts on the subject matter, acknowledging that the BCCI and PCB are responsible for making that choice.

“This is the decision of BCCI and PCB. Whatever decision they take, they will take it together,” Gambhir was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

If the Indian team comes here then we will go for the World Cup: Ramiz Raja

“If Pakistan doesn't take part in the World Cup scheduled in India next year, who will watch it? We have a clear stand: If the Indian team comes here then we will go for the World Cup. If they don't come then they can play the World Cup without us. We will adopt an aggressive approach. Our team is showing performance. I've always said we need to improve the economy of Pakistan cricket, and that can only happen when we perform well. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, we beat India. We beat India in the T20 Asia Cup. In one year, the Pakistan cricket team defeated a billion-dollar economy team twice,” Ramiz Raja had said earlier.

Ramiz’s statement had even prompted Indian sports minister Anurag Thakur to give a befitting reply as he had said: “Wait for the right time. India is a major power in the world of sports & no country can overlook India.”