Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad clarified his explosive comments against the BCCI and the ICC, recalling how cricket between the two countries contributed to good relationship in the past.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 9, 2023 14:39 IST
Javed Miandad clarifies controversial India ‘can go to hell’ comment (India Today Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: The former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad created a stir when he reacted strongly to reports of the possibility of Asia Cup 2023 shifted out of Pakistan, taking potshots at the Indian cricket board (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). Miandad, in an interaction at a public event in Pakistan, had said India and its cricket board can “go to hell”, adding that Pakistan doesn’t need India’s support to be a powerhouse in world cricket.
The delay over the announcement of the hosts for Asia Cup 2023 has led to war of words between Pakistan and a few Indian cricketers. Pakistan have the hosting rights for the tournament but sources told India Today after an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in February in Bahrain that the 50-over tournament would be moved out of Pakistan after India expressed its unwillingness to travel to their neighboring country.
Miandad had fumed over the reported call to move the Asia Cup to Dubai, questioning the role of the ICC, alleging that the global governing body of world cricket was letting the BCCI influence decisions.
India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since the 2012-13 season and the two teams have only been meeting in ICC and ACC tournaments. While Pakistan last traveled to India for the T20 World Cup in 2016, India have not toured Pakistan since 2005-06.
“Do you know what hell means? If you don’t want to play just don’t. We don’t have a problem. Ask the Indian cricketers. They’ll also say that there should be cricket between these two teams in their respective countries. It’ll benefit both nations,” Miandad said in his YouTube video.
“If they think that their (India) not coming to Pakistan makes any difference, let me tell you that it doesn’t. That’s what I meant. We are independent. Pakistan has produced world-class cricketers as well as hockey players. Everywhere around the world, neighbouring countries are playing with each other.”
‘GOOD IMPACT ON RELATIONSHIP’
Notably, Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Ramiz Raja had responded to the claim, threatening the boycott the ODI World Cup by Pakistan. Newly-appointed PCB chief Najam Sethi reiterated the board’s stand, saying Pakistan’s decision on whether or not the senior men’s team would travel to India will be taken by the government.
The BCCI had always maintained that it would abide by what the Indian government decides on whether or not to travel to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Miandad said it’s important that the two countries start playing bilateral cricket as he recalled memories of travelling Indian fans welcomed in Pakistan.
“Earlier we used to go there and then they used to come here. When India came to play a series in Pakistan, there were so many people from India who also came to watch. There were no hotels available and the Lahore residents invited them to their houses. It had a very good impact on the relationships between the two countries,” Miandad added.
