World Cup winning captain Imran Khan and former captain Javed Miandad were contradictory in their views regarding the India-Pakistan series, that should be held during the month of late-December and January at a neutral venue – Sri Lanka.
While Imran Khan stated that the bilateral series should happen despite the political tensions disrupting peace among the two Asian nations, Javed Miandad, on the other hand, advised the Pakistan cricket Board (PCB) not to rush into the preparation of the series with India. He even said that the Indian Board couldn’t be trusted to keep their commitments as they have been finding excuses to play Pakistan despite their commitment towards the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both the boards.
Unlike his former teammate, Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan encouraged the India – Pakistan series to go forward as according to him, it would help improve the younger generations of both the nations to develop their games with regular matches between the teams being played regularly. “Bilateral cricket ties will benefit both the countries… Because playing against each other helps groom the players to handle the pressure situations well,” Imran said.
Imran stressed that political tensions should not be brought into cricket. “Both the countries need to keep sports away from politics. An India-Pakistan match is always a big spectacle in world cricket,” said the cricketer-turned-politician.
Javed Miandad stated that first, the BCCI seemed ready to play the bilateral series against Pakistan on a mutually agreed neutral venue of Sri Lanka and when the PCB got their respective government’s approval for the series, the Indian Board suddenly hyped the fact that even they needed their government’s permission. The former great stayed strong with his stance and was earlier quoted, saying, “What kind of attitude has been adopted by India? It is always India that has created problems for cricketing ties between the two countries.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they back out again from playing us even in Sri Lanka.” Miandad believes that the BCCI is now delaying matters giving the excuse of government clearance. “Our government has given its clearance, so what is stopping them from getting the required permission?” he questioned.
“Both the PCB and the Sri Lanka Cricket (board) must first get India’s consent in black and white and if they back out of the agreement then they should be penalised,” said Miandad.
The bilateral series is expected to be a limited overs affair. Both the teams are to play each other during the months of late-December and early-January at a mutually decided neutral venue of Sri Lanka, due to the high political tensions going on between the neighbouring countries.