After the Indian Cricket Board refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, the banter between former and current India and Pakistan cricketers has blown out of proportion. Following the announcement of the venue for the 2023 edition of the tournament last year, Indian Cricket Board secretary Jay Shah, who is also the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president, stated that India will not travel to Pakistan due to government and political relations.
Shah and the board stood firm at the recent ACC meeting in Bahrain, and the tournament is set to be relocated away from Pakistan, with a new venue to be announced in the coming months. The decision clearly did not sit well with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as new chairman Najam Sethi threatened to pull out of the ODI World Cup in India later this year.
Amid threats and arguments, former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad issued a strong response, claiming that India does not run cricket and requesting that the Apex Cricket Council intervene in the matter.
“Maine toh pehle bhi kaha tha agar nahi aana to bhaad mein jaaye. Humein koi farak nahi padta. Yeh ICC ka kaam hai. Agar yeh cheez ICC control nahi kar sakti toh phir governing body ka, ICC ka koi kaam nahi hai. Saari country ke liye rule ek hona chahiye. Agar aisi teamein nahi aati, chahe jitni bhi strong ho. Koi theka nahi liya hua. India hoga, apne liye hoga, humare liye ya duniya ke liye nahi hai, Pakistan ke liye nahi hai. Aao khelo, khelte kyun nahi? Bhaagte hain
(I have said this before as well, India can go to hell if they don’t want to come to Pakistan. It doesn’t bother us. It is ICC’s job to ensure that India comes. If ICC can’t control it then what’s the use of being a governing body? It should have the same rules for every team, if they don’t fulfil commitments, however, strong they may be. India doesn’t run cricket. It may be a powerhouse but in its home, not for us, and not for the world. Come play in Pakistan, why don’t you play?),” said Miandad speaking to the reporters in Pakistan.
Here is how fans reacted to Javed Miandad’s statement
Agar Pakistan 2023 ke world cup ke liye nhi aana chahti to wo jaaye guiyaan ke khet mein ?! But one thing is for sure India isn't going to Pakistan for asia cup and that's a final and binding decision!?
— Deepanshu Tulsani (@deepking_10) February 6, 2023
Aajkal Pakistan survive karegi ki nahi, wo bhi nahi pata. Not just in cricket ?
— Dr Shivam 'da' (@angryoldman27) February 6, 2023
Bkl isko follow karne vale mujhe unfollow karo or ha
Javed miandad ki gaan kal kyu Rahi hai?
Last me haath jodke aaoge India or India nahi jayega Pakistan.
— Naveen_24 (@naveen_du_24) February 5, 2023
What he is not understanding is that some are afraid of going there, he is living there so he will never feel it
— RahlS_2017 (@RSu27738855) February 6, 2023
Pakistan’s survival in any case is uncertain whether India goes there to play or not. No Country which exists on the basis of religion will find it easy to survive. Also Countries where Democracy is a sham will struggle. Ur cricketers are brilliant. Let’s play at a neutral venue.
— Ajay Wadhwa (@ajaywadhwa123) February 6, 2023
Respected Mr. Javed Miandad Sir Aap Bhul Rahe Hai Ki Aapka Jo Bhikhari Board Hai Wo India Ki Funding Se Chalta Hai. Basically Aapka Board Hmare Tukdo Par Chalta Hai Uski Izzat Kare Warna Aapke Board Ka Allah Hi Hafeez Hai
— ?? ?? (@TasneemKhatai) February 5, 2023
Point is India never said we don’t come to play Pakistan. India always said we will move Asia cup from Pakistan. So these are two different things. It’s not like Ban, SL, AFG all are coming to Pakistan and only India is opting out. Asia cup will move to other place.
— ?? MahiRat FanClub ?? (@MahiRatFans) February 6, 2023
We are not traveling to Pakistan that's the final say . Pakistan not coming to our country for the world cup, your loss. Don't he dare talk about going to hell. Let Mr Miandad stay in his limits, he is a cricketing icon, aisi baatein aur harkatein unhe Shobha nahi deta.
— Rohan Pramod Manoor (@rohanmanoor) February 5, 2023
Ek toh Javed Miandad ke serious comments bhi uski aawaz mai padhke hassi aati hain.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 6, 2023
We Indians admire Javed Miandad and other great Pakistani cricketers, but this language was not expected from Javed
— Markandey Katju (@mkatju) February 6, 2023
