NEW DELHI: As the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initiated talks with senior government officials to discuss future course of action after ICC conveyed to PCB about India’s unwillingness to tour the country for next year’s Champions Trophy, Pakistan’s cricket community reacted with anger on India’s decision.
The PCB confirmed that it received an e-mail from the ICC regarding India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the marquee tournament.
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Former Test captain Javed Miandad demanded that games against India be boycotted.
“It is a joke that this is happening. Even if we don’t play India at all, Pakistan cricket will not only survive but prosper as well as we have shown in the past,” he told PTI.
“I would like to see how the ICC events earn money when there are no Pakistan and India matches,” Miandad added.
Former Test captain Inzamam-ul-Haq too voiced his dissatisfaction.
“They are depriving cricket of such a big occasion. There is no threat to the Indian team in Pakistan. In fact, they would get the best hospitality here,” he said.
Another former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif maintained that the PCB must make a powerful statement.
“Enough is enough. When all teams are playing in Pakistan without any problem, this decision by India is purely political and that should be unacceptable in all sports including cricket,” Latif said.
Since the 2008 Asia Cup, India has not sent its cricket team to play in Pakistan.
Nonetheless, Pakistan has visited India for the T20 World Cup in 2016, a bilateral white-ball series in 2012-13, and the 50-over World Cup last year.
Sports and politics should never be combined, according to former Test cricketer Mohsin Khan.
“I mean does the Indian government really believe there is any threat to their team in Pakistan. But I would advise on remaining calm before making any decision,” he noted.