Former Pakistan greats led by Javed Miandad showed huge disappointment over legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar’s bitter remarks to oust Pakistan team from the Asia Cup later this year.
The tension between archrivals Pakistan and India have reached a flashpoint following terrorist attacks on a tourist place in Kashmir which left 26 people killed.
India alleged Pakistan’s support to the attackers and are vowing to retaliate, also suspending the 1960 Indus Water Treaty between the two countries which Islamabad said tantamount to war against them.
Gavaskar told India Today that in his opinion if the Asia Cup does take place this year, it is highly unlikely for Pakistan to take part in the continental event.
BCCI's stance has always been what the government of India tells them to do. So I don't think it would be any different when it comes to the Asia Cup. India and Sri Lanka are the hosts for this particular edition of the Asia Cup, so it depends on whether things have changed at all, but if things haven't changed, I can't see Pakistan now being part of the Asia Cup, which is going to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Gavaskar’s contemporary Javed Miandad said he can't believe that these are “Sunny bhai” remarks, despite being told these are comments made on a TV show.
I can’t believe his statement. I don't believe he has said that. I know Gavsakar more than anyone in Pakistan. He has a lot of respect for Pakistan so he cannot make these comments. But after a few exchanges he would request that, 'Javed, now I am batting so do not disturb me so I used to excuse.' I don't believe he can say such things about Pakistan cricket.
Another of Gavaskar’s contemporaries Iqbal Qasim said he did not believe this initially.
I thought this statement was wrongly attributed to him….. he cannot say such words. I am shocked that he said that but when I got to know that he said that on television then it’s out of question that he was wrongly attributed. I feel Gavaskar is a very responsible person and he is popular on both sides of the border and should not have said that. Asia Cup is participated by all the Asian teams and saying Pakistan should not be allowed to feature in it. There is no space for politics in sports and by saying such things will not help sports.
I would catch my ears and say that this is a very stupid statement. How can you allege Pakistan without completing the investigation. Give evidence and then talk over it. Cricket greats and lovers should talk about cricket and not politics. India shutting down Pakistani channels and Youtube shows their short-minded nature.
Another former Pakistan great Mushtaq Ahmed said one expect good things from a great like Gavaskar.
It’s an appropriate statement from a great like Gavaskar. A famous quote from Hazrat Ali (RA) says never decide in anger that forces you to regret and never promise when overjoyed that you can fulfill.
Mushtaq said Pakistan is an important country in the world community as well as Asia.
By the grace of Almighty, Pakistan is an important country and how can you eliminate Pakistan from the Asia Cup? The second important thing is that Pakistan has a great fan following whether their performance is not high class, so keep sports and politics separate. A sportsman should give a positive statement for everyone which will make things good.
Pakistan’s ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan, too, reiterated his stance that “cricket should go on.”
I don’t know what is happening between Pakistan and India, but I will always advocate regular cricket between the two countries and feel that cricket should not suffer.
