Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has made it pretty clear to the outside world that Pakistan is always ready to play against India whether it is a bilateral series or an ICC event. They never had any problem while playing against the Indians. Sarfaraz Ahmed feels that it is India’s concern and he doesn’t want to comment much on this sensitive issue as it might trigger a new debate altogether.
The Pakistan skipper made the comments after there have been several speculations in the media that India might boycott Pakistan from Playing in the 2019 World Cup owing to the Pulwama attack on the Indian CRPF jawans which killed at least 40. As per the original schedule of the ICC World Cup, Pakistan is expected to lock horns against India on 16th July in Manchester. Sarfaraz said that it is India who has their reservations of playing Pakistan and he feels it’s their “issue and it’s their headache”.
“We are always ready to play India, be it in a bilateral series or the World Cup,” Sarfraz was quoted as saying by The News International. “But it is them who think otherwise. I cannot talk any more on the issue as it can trigger a new debate.”
“I don’t want to discuss about it. It’s India’s issue and it’s their headache. We are concerned with our performance at the World Cup and we will try to give our best at the World Cup,” he was quoted as saying by the Dawn.
Team India and the BCCI has made it pretty clear that they will follow whatever the government instructs them to do. The Men in Blue are ready to boycott Pakistan even in the knockout stages which might knock them out of the tournament. For example, if India and Pakistan qualify for the final, Pakistan will directly win the tournament without even contesting.
Many former and present Indian cricketers including Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh and Chetan Chauhan has given their comment on the issue. They were very disappointed with the attacks and wanted the government to take actions. However, they feel that pulling out of the clash will only make them lose vital points. They can also face the prospect of getting knocked out of the tournament.