Daily Times

LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq has advocated for his country’s team be allowed to compete in the ODI World Cup in India and said that not sending the side for the mega event will be “depriving people” of the opportunity to see the arch-rivals clash on the biggest stage. “When there can be contacts between the two countries in other sports, why not in cricket,” Misbah said at a function in Karachi. “Why link cricket with political relations? It is unfair to deprive people of a chance to see their teams play against each other. It is great injustice to the fans who follow Pakistan and Indian cricket a lot.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently conveyed to the ICC and the BCCI that the national team’s participation in the World Cup in October-November this year is subject to government clearance due to the tense relations between the two countries. India have refused to play their Asia Cup matches in Pakistan owing to geopolitical tensions, and after months of speculation around it, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced that the event will be staged in a hybrid model with four games in Pakistan and nine in Sri Lanka (neutral venue) from August 31 to September 17. Misbah felt it was time Pakistan should go to India and the Indian team should also come to Pakistan to play matches.

“Certainly, Pakistan should be playing in the World Cup even in India,” he said. “The many times I have played in India, we have enjoyed the pressure and crowds there because it gives you motivation and conditions in India suit us. Our team has the capability to do well in Indian conditions.” Misbah also advised the players to just focus on the cricket and winning the World Cup. “What is happening outside their sphere, they should not think about it,” he said. “The key to doing well in the World Cup in India is to get the playing XIs right at particular venues and against particular opposition.” Misbah’s former team-mate and captain Shahid Afridi too felt Pakistan must travel to India for the World Cup. “There is pressure but the fun is also [playing under] that pressure,” he said. “People are saying we should not go to India and boycott [the World Cup] but I am totally against that. Pakistan should go to India and win the World Cup.”