When the debate turned to BCCI Secretary Jay Shah’s statement that India wouldn’t tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup the following year, former Indian bowler Harbhajan Singh got into an argument with a Pakistani anchor on his channel.
The announcement of this plan has caused commotion in the Pakistan cricket community. Shah, who also serves as the head of the ACC, put plans in motion to move the Asia Cup’s location to a neutral site. Singh was on a panel assembled to talk about the subject.
Ramiz Raza claimed in a statement from the previous year that Pakistan Cricket lacked the necessary funding and should turn to the BCCI. Either that, or Pakistan cricket will continue to exist if the BCCI offers PCB money. Please don’t travel to India if you sense reluctance. Who is the asker? It is your choice whether or not to participate in the ICC event. We won’t send if our players are not secure there. On a special episode of Aaj Tak with Pakistan’s ARY News, Harbhajan advised listeners not to play if that is what they wanted.
When the anchor suggested that India would have travelled to its neighbouring state if this were a World Cup rather than the Asia Cup, the discussion became tense.
“Hum nahi aayenge, Harbhajan Sahab abhi keh rahe hain. If Pakistan were to host the World Cup in the ICC tournament, that would be a challenge, the anchor said. “Ye na aayein toh mujhe batayein,” he added. (Harbhajan sir is stating right now that India won’t come to Pakistan. I challenge him, saying, “We’ll see if the Indian squad doesn’t show up when the World Cup is staged in Pakistan.”
Singh responded by accepting the “challenge” and asserting that the PCB was unnecessary for Indian cricket. The difficulty is ‘Toh le liya bhai tera’ (I accept your challenge). Indian cricket is skilled in running their game. PCB is not required. We have stated that we have a problem. Sure, if the government approves,” replied Singh.
Additionally, Akmal noted that after years of playing cricket abroad, nations are now coming to Pakistan to participate.
“Why can’t India also come for Asia Cup. We didn’t perform there in India in 2011. Everything remained the same. I want the India-Pakistan games would go on. Politics shouldn’t exist. Cricket unites us. What good are our boundaries next to each other (as neighbors) if we can’t play together?” Speaking on Ary News, Akmal.
“The BCCI is such a large board”, he continued. “It required maturity. These discussions might have taken place following the World Cup. Together, they decide while seated. Not the best time before a match like this”.
