‘If you need money then you should stop the activities at the border’ – Kapil Dev on Shoaib Akhtar’s idea of India-Pakistan series

Kapil Dev, the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian captain, said that at the present point in time, cricket shouldn’t be the only point of discussion. The coronavirus outbreak has put to halt most tournaments and most part of the world is going through a lockdown period.

Kapil said that he is more concerned about the young generation and wishes for schools and colleges to open at the earliest. In India, the lockdown has been extended until May 3 after the initial one until April 14. Around 820 deaths have been reported with the cases around 27,000.

I want schools to reopen first: Kapil Dev

“I am looking at the larger picture. Do you think cricket is the only issue we can talk about? I am rather worried about the children who are not being able to go to schools and colleges because that is our young generation. So, I want schools to reopen first. Cricket, football will happen eventually,” Kapil was quoted as saying in DNA.

Kapil also came down hard on Shoaib Akhtar, the former Pakistan fast bowler. The Rawalpindi Express earlier expressed his desire for India and Pakistan to play a bilateral series in the pandemic situation. Akhtar wanted the matches to be used for raising funds for the ones affected recently. However, Kapil was clear cut in saying that playing matches isn’t the solution.

“You could be emotional and say that yes, India and Pakistan should play matches. Playing matches is not a priority at the moment. If you need the money then you should stop the activities at the border,” the veteran added.

“If we really need money then we have so many religious organizations, they should come forward. It is their responsibility. We offer so much many when we visit the religious shrines, so they should help the government,” he added.

Previously, Akhtar also reacted to Kapil dismissing his proposal of the matches. He feels that the audience would be hooked by a match and believes that his opinion would be considered soon. In Pakistan, nearly 270 people have lost their lives with the cases over 12,700.