Virat Kohli’s India wore army caps for politicising sports: Javed Miandad

Javed Miandad, the former Pakistan cricketer, has hit out at India and Virat Kohli for wearing army caps during an ODI against Australia in Ranchi back in March. MS Dhoni, who’s a Lieutenant Colonel with the Territorial Army, distributed the caps among the Indian players before the start of the game. The step was taken in order to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Pulwama Attack in February.

Pakistan wasn’t satisfied by the same and they lodged an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take action against India. However, the apex cricket board dismissed PCB’s request and stated that India had sought permission and were given thumbs up to wear the caps. A number of personalities from Pakistan’s political fraternity also expressed a great amount of anger.

I wore an army cap just to show love for my army: Javed Miandad

Miandad didn’t mince any words in saying that that India wore the caps to politicise the game. The veteran was recently seen donning an army cap during Pakistan’s opening Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. The encounter also marked the return of Test cricket to Pakistan after 10 years. The 62-year-old Bandula Warnapura, the former Lanka cricketer, was invited as a special guest.

“Virat Kohli and the Indian team wore army caps for fulfilling political means but I didn’t,” Miandad was quoted as saying in Ary Sports. “I wore an army cap just to show love for my army, and nothing else. I wanted to be a soldier and I used to wear such caps often during my childhood,” he added.

It’s not the first time when Miandad has sparked controversy with his statements against India. Earlier this year, the Article 370, which gave special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, was abolished. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the scrapping of the same in the Rajya Sabha.

Thereafter, Miandad asked the Kashmiris to revolt against the Narendra Modi-led Indian government. The 62-year-old cricketer also called the Indian government a ‘coward. “Hume mauka chahiye aur hum saaf kar denge (we just need a chance, we will wipe out India),” Miandad had said.