- Friday, April 26, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
Days after Javed Miandad’s scathing attack on India over the shifting of Asia Cup 2023 from Pakistan, another former player of Pakistan has spoken out but in a different tone.
Abdur Razzaq, a former all-rounder who played for Pakistan between 1999 and 2013, remarked recently that it is “good for cricket” if the marquee tournament is taken to another country.
Speaking to Geo News, the 43-year-old said, “It’s good for cricket. And for cricket promotion. India-Pakistan games only happen in ICC tournaments. If Asia Cup has been shifted to Dubai, then it’s best option. It’s good for cricket and cricketers.”
He also disagreed that India should be barred from hosting big cricket tournaments if they continue to pick and choose.
“It doesn’t happen like this. This has been on for years. If the two boards sit across table and chat, it would be great. Both boards should solve this issue,” he said.
The Indian cricket board has expressed its reluctance to take part in Asia Cup on Pakistan’s soil but its Pakistani counterpart is adamant on hosting the tournament. Starting with officials, the controversy snowballed to see former greats such as Miandad lashing out at India and urged the International Cricket Council to remove the arch-rivals.
Pakistan has also threatened to pull out of the 50-over World Cup which is scheduled in India later this year.
Khaled Mahmood, a former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, expressed disappointment over India’s stance but urged the Pakistani board to talk to other members of the ICC.
“The world doesn’t run on ideology and principles; else ICC should show their power and tell India ‘who are you not to go and play Asia Cup in Pakistan?’ But India has great influence on ICC.
“If We host Asia Cup without India and without their players, corporate sponsorship will all stop. The big money will stop. And it won’t be a glamorous tournament without them. It would be a weak tournament. We will also lose money.
“If things aren’t going to change, then we have to be pragmatic about this. The PCB will have to accept the change of venue and our players get the chance to play.”
Mahmood said the Indian board should be told that it is doing wrong.
“We should lobby the issue with other members – England, Australia. At least, it should be known that things are getting out of control, India are doing wrong – and you guys are sitting quietly. There is no use sitting and talking just with India. That’s been done. It’s time to go to other members.”
