 "Sunil Gavaskar criticised, called ‘stupid’ by former Pakistan cricketers for Asia Cup comments: ‘Let the investigation conclude’")
Sunil Gavaskar’s r ecent comment on Pakistan's participation in the Asia Cup in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack has drawn criticism from the other side of the border, with fellow batting legend Javed Miandad expressing disbelief and Basit Ali describing his comments as stupid, and several others calling for politics to not be mixed with sports.
Gavaskar had on Saturday expressed doubt over two-time champions Pakistan being part of the action in the continental event that will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka and is set to take place at a neutral venue, likely in the UAE in September.
The Indian batting legend added that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which appointed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi as its President last month, could be disbanded following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam – in which 26 civilians had been killed.
“I can’t believe Sunny bhai said this. He’s a respectful, down-to-earth person who always stayed away from politics,” Gavaskar’s contemporary Miandad told telecomasia.net.
“Let the investigation conclude. Cricket should remain above political hostilities,” former Pakistan middle-order batter Basit said in addition to labelling his comment as “stupid”.
‘Gavaskar is a responsible figure loved on both sides of the border’
Former Pakistan spinners Iqbal Qasim and Mushtaq Ahmed also responded to Gavaskar’s comments, with the former stating that ‘Sunny G’ is loved on both sides of the border and calling for sport to remain separate from politics.
“Gavaskar is a responsible figure loved on both sides of the border. Politics should not mix with sports,” former left-arm spinner Qasim said.
“Never decide in anger that forces you to regret,” ex-leg spinner Mushtaq said, quoting revered Islamic figure Hazrat Ali.
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Impact Shorts
More ShortsPakistan ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan, meanwhile, called for the two nations to continue playing cricket despite a complete breakdown in diplomatic relations following the attack – the deadliest on Indian soil involving civilians since the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
“Whatever happens politically, cricket should go on,” the wicketkeeper-batter added.
The Indian government has responded to the Pahalgam attack with a series of measures, from suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and severing economic ties to blocking YouTube accounts belonging to several prominent Pakistani cricketers among other notable personalities.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has also been advised by icons of the game such as former India captain Sourav Ganguly to completely sever ties with the PCB, to the point of the Men in Blue not facing their arch-rivals in ICC events.
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