With regard to Jay Shah’s recent comments regarding the Indian cricket team’s participation in the Asia Cup in Pakistan next year, former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis didn’t hold back when criticising them.
In 2023, the Asia Cup will take place at a neutral site, Jay Shah told reporters on Tuesday in Mumbai. We won’t comment on whether or not our squad is allowed to visit Pakistan because that is a government decision, but the 2023 Asia Cup will be hosted at a neutral location.
“I am stating this as President of the ACC. They cannot come here, and neither can we [India]. The Asia Cup has previously also been held at a neutral site, Jay Shah continued.
Waqar Younis accused the BCCI of aiming to “destroy” cricket in Pakistan and made serious accusations against the organisation.
“I don’t think ye cricket board ka faisla hai. Misbah ne kaha tha ki this is not cricket board, this is coming from the top. Unki badi simple policy hai ki Pakistan ke saath nahi khelna, Pakistan ko tour nahi karna, especially kyunki cricket aakhon me aati hai, zyada log pasand karte hain. (I don’t think this is the Indian cricket board’s decision. Misbah had said earlier that this was coming from the top. They have a simple policy that they don’t want to play against Pakistan or tour the country, because cricket is watched by many),” Waqar Younis said in a conversation with A Sports.
“They want to damage Pakistan, as simple as that. Pakistan should take a stand, and I think PCB gave a good statement. We have to take care of Pakistan cricket, and we have to look after our dignity and respect because that is more important than playing cricket with them. We will see what happens over the next few days,” Waqar Younis added.
Mudassar Nazar, a former all-rounder for Pakistan, too criticised the BCCI and urged the PCB to break off all cricketing connections with the neighbouring nation.
“Pakistan could not get support from other boards on issues with India because the purpose of other boards is to fill their own pockets. We must now make our own decisions without regard for financial blackmail. I believe we should now refuse to play India at any level,” former Pakistan all-rounder Mudassar Nazar told Cricket Pakistan.
“Looking at what happened with Ganguly in the recent Indian board elections, it is clear that the BJP is interfering in India’s and the Asian Cricket Council’s affairs. Regarding the Asia Cup, ACC President Jay Shah appears to be constantly overstepping. This attitude may turn out to be harmful to the ACC,” Mudassar Nazar pointed out.
Prior to Waqar Younis and Mudassar Nazar, a number of other well-known figures in Pakistani cricket, including Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Salman Butt, Younis Khan, and Kamran Akmal, expressed their displeasure with Jay Shah’s remarks and urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to take a tough stance on the issue.
“I think Jay Shah should not have said that but since the bullet has been fired I would ask the PCB to take a firm stance on this issue, just like we did in the past [after New Zealand called off Pakistan s tour at the eleventh hour] and as you know those teams have begun to tour the country,” Younis Khan said.
“But if they [BCCI] decide to stick with their decision then it should not matter to us if the Indian team does not participate in Asia Cup and we should consider not traveling to India for the ODI World Cup the following year, nor we should agree to host Asia Cup at a neutral venue,” Younis Khan added.
On the other hand, Kamran Akmal raised the stakes of his criticism of India by urging Pakistan to skip their upcoming T20 World Cup match, which is set to take place on Sunday in Melbourne.
Kamran Akmal even welcomed the PCB’s decision to sever all ties with India in the sport of cricket and stop playing any games against them. In front of the Pakistan Cricket Board, he made a suggestion that they not send any teams to fight against India, whether it be in the Asia Cup, ICC competitions, or even in a bilateral match.
“I believe Jay Shah s statement was unexpected, and since he attended the Pakistan-India game during this year s Asia Cup, he should reserve politics for his opposition and avoid dragging it into sports,” Kamran Akmal stated.
“Asia Cup should only be hosted in Pakistan and if that does not happen then Pakistan should not play against India at any level, be it ICC events’ matches, Asia Cup matches, or even their match on October 23,” Kamran Akmal concluded.
Former Pakistani captain goes off on a rant against India that started on ClutchPoints.
