On the other side of the border, Sunil Gavaskar's recent remark regarding Pakistan's participation in the Asia Cup following the Pahalgam terror attack has sparked criticism. Basit Ali called his remarks "stupid", fellow batting legend Javed Miandad expressed disbelief, and several others called for politics to stay out of sports.
Two-time champion Pakistan's participation in the continental tournament, which India and Sri Lanka will jointly host in the United Arab Emirates in September, was questioned by Gavaskar on Saturday. The Indian batting icon had gone on to say that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which last month named Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as its president, might be "disbanded" in the wake of the terror assault in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people.
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“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 Ali said in addition to labelling his comment as “stupid”.
In response to Gavaskar's remarks, former Pakistani spinners Iqbal Qasim and Mushtaq Ahmed also said that "Sunny G" is adored on both sides of the border and that politics and sport should stay apart. “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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Despite a total collapse in diplomatic ties after the incident, which was the bloodiest on Indian soil involving civilians since the 26/11 bombings in Mumbai, Pakistan's ODI captain, Mohammad Rizwan, urged the two countries to keep playing cricket. “Whatever happens politically, cricket should go on,” the wicketkeeper-batter added.
In response to the Pahalgam incident, the Indian government has taken a number of actions, including deleting the social media accounts of some well-known Pakistani cricket players and other significant figures, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and cutting off commercial connections.
Legends of the game like former India captain Sourav Ganguly have also urged the BCCI to cut all connections with the PCB, to the extent that the Men in Blue will not play their bitter opponents in ICC competitions.
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