India have the right to pull out of the World Cup game against Pakistan: Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has condemned the death of more than 40 CRPF jawans in the ghastly Pulwama attack that shook India on February 14, while also accepting that the Indian cricket team has all the right to pull out of the ICC World Cup 2019 clash with Pakistan. However, the Rawalpindi Express also criticised the former Indian cricketers for antagonising the situation.

In a conversation with a Pakistani news channel, the fast bowler said that sports and politics should definitely not be mixed. But India, who have been wronged by the attack, can choose to not play a country that has taken responsibility for the attacks.

“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,” Shoaib Akhtar was quoted as saying by Times Now. “They have a right to pull out. Their country was attacked and hence the decision. You cannot argue on that?”

A lot of former Indian cricketers took to social media to ask for a complete ban on cricketing ties with Pakistan, which Akhtar feels is wrong. According to him, Indian cricketers are politicising the situation.

“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.

BCCI wants India to play Pakistan but Indian government objects

Shoaib Akhtar further went on to reveal that that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has often expressed that it wants to play a bilateral series against Pakistan, but the Indian government has stopped them every time. “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 think 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.

Meanwhile, the BCCI CoA is yet to take a final decision on the matter and is set to meet on Friday to discuss on the same and will also seek the advice from the Sports Ministry if the need arises.

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