‘Why are we playing with Pak’ – Asaduddin Owaisi questions Home Ministry ahead of India- Pakistan clash

The tensions between India and Pakistan cricket bodies are on the rise as both boards are having a go at each other regarding the venue of Asia Cup 2023. The Indian Cricket Board Secretary Jay Shah has made a statement that India will not be going to Pakistan for the continental tournament, hence there will be a change in the venue. The statement hasn’t gone down well with former Pakistan cricketers who’re lashing out at Shah for passing the verdict without conducting any meeting.

Amid the rising tension, Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday questioned why India plays cricket with Pakistan in Australia when it decides against sending its team to play in Pakistan.

“Why are you now playing the cricket match with Pakistan tomorrow? Nahi khel na tha. No, we won’t go to Pakistan but will play with them in Australia. What is this love? Don’t play with Pakistan. What will happen if you don’t play with Pakistan? A loss of ?2000 crore for the television? But is it “Why are you now playing the cricket match with Pakistan tomorrow? Nahi khel na tha. No, we won’t go to Pakistan but will play with them in Australia. What is this love?” said Owaisi.

“Don’t play with Pakistan. What will happen if you don’t play with Pakistan? A loss of ?2000 crore for the television? But is it more than what India matters? Leave, don’t play,” Owaisi said touching upon the issue of India deciding not to send its team to play Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan.

“Now I don’t know who will win the match. But I also want that India wins and that Shami and our children like Mohammed Siraj do their best to crush Pakistan. You have a problem with our hijab, with our beard and also with our cricket,” he added.

Following Jay Shah’s statement, Pakistan Cricket Board has threatened to not participate in the 2023 World Cup in India. Sports minister Anurag Thakur said that the final decision on whether the Indian team will travel to Pakistan to take part in Asia Cup will be taken by the home ministry. On Pakistan’s threat, the minister said he expects all countries to participate in the World Cup.