‘India Can Go To Hell’: Former Pakistan Cricketer Javed Miandad Slams BCCI Over Asia Cup Row

International

oi-Prakash KL

Former Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad has spit venom against India again over the BCCI’s reservation to play cricket in Pakistan and the ACC (Asia Cricket Council) approved the ‘hybrid model’ for the Asia Cup.

He said that Pakistan had played in India twice and it is India’s turn to play in his country. “Pakistan has been to India in 2012 and even in 2016 now it is the turn of the Indians to come here. If I had to make a decision, I would never go to India to play any match, even the World Cup,” Miandad told reporters.

As per the ACC’s approved model, India will play all its matches in Sri Lanka. However, this has not gone well with the former Pakistan cricket captain.

“Till India doesn’t come here (Pakistan) and doesn’t play with us, we should not visit India. We do not need them, we are better than them, our cricket is better than them. We don’t care about them. We have enough money, ground, and cricketers. All our cricketers are making a name for themselves in the world.”

Miandad further added, “Na aao, main kehta hoon ki bhaad me jao nahi aate to. Humein kya fark padta hai. (Don’t come, I say go to hell if you don’t come. We don’t care.)”

It has to be noted that the issue is not just around the Asia Cup, but also the World Cup 2023 which will be held in India. Even though the ICC has not announced the schedule of the tournament, the battle between the arch-rivals – India and Pakistan – is likely to be played on October 15 in Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

“I always say one can’t choose its neighbours, so it is better to live by cooperating with each other. And I have always said cricket is a sport which brings people closer to each other and can remove misunderstandings and grievances between countries. It was on the cards that they would again not send their team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup so it is time we also take a strong stand now,” he added.

This is not the first time where the controversial cricketer has made critical comments against India. In February, he had said, “India can go to hell if they don’t want to come to Pakistan to play cricket. I’ve always backed Pakistan. And you know that I don’t leave spare India whenever an issue arises. But the thing is we need to look at our part. And we should fight for it. We don’t care because we are getting to host our cricket,”

India last toured Pakistan in 2008 and the last series played by the two countries was in 2012 when Men in Green visited India for three-match ODI series.

Story first published: Monday, June 19, 2023, 16:41 [IST]