The forthcoming cricket match between India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup on September 14 has received severe criticism. As per the schedule released, India and Pakistan can meet for a possible three times during the course of the tournament. However, the meeting, which once used to be a much-awaited affair, has left the supporters irked due to the ongoing tension between the two nations.
The tension fuelled after 26 people were slain in Pahalgam, a major tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, in April, and emotions are still running high. Several ex-cricketers have opined on the same and the latest member to join the chorus is 1983 World Cup winner Madan Lal.
Also Read | 'Sport must go on but Pahalgam should not happen': Sourav Ganguly on India-Pakistan clash at Asia Cup
"Those who have lost their near and dear ones, ask them what they are feeling. They have been scarred for life. This is our habit that people forget such incidents, when it comes to cricket matches, when it comes to finance, when it comes to ICC tournaments. It's going to be the same. But if you ask me, I will never have any tie with Pakistan," Madan Lal was quoted as saying by NDTV.
"Because we are not strong enough to take a decision. It's as simple as that. You take the decision that 'we will never play Pakistan'. It's an old habit in our country, we tend to forget such things 10-50 days after the incident. For the people, who have lost their near and dear ones, this is wrong. But the decision has been made by the BCCI, the government, the public did not decided. If you take public's decision, they will say never play against Pakistan," the ex-cricketer responded when asked for not going a complete ban on playing against Pakistan.
Regarding the Asia Cup match, the sports ministry has stated that they are taking a 'wait and watch' stance. "As of now, the BCCI does not come under the purview of the sports ministry as the National Sports Governance Bill is still to be passed. So, the ministry doesn't have a say, but we will wait and see how the BCCI responds to public sentiment," a sports ministry source had earlier told PTI.
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