‘I Would Never Go To India To Play Any Match’ - Javed Miandad Suggests Pakistan Skip World Cup in India

According to a report in TOI, renowned Pakistani batsman Javed Miandad has expressed strong criticism towards India and suggested that Pakistan should refrain from playing matches in India, including the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup until the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reciprocates by sending a team to Pakistan.

As per the draft schedule released by the ICC, an anticipated clash between Pakistan and India is set to take place during the World Cup on October 15.

According to the winner of the 1992 World Cup, it is their belief that India should consider undertaking a tour of Pakistan.

"Pakistan has been to India in 2012 and even in 2016 now it is the turn of the Indians to come here," he said, according to PTI.

"If I had to make a decision I would never go to India to play any match, even the World Cup. We are always ready to play India but they never respond in the same manner. Pakistan cricket is bigger, we are still producing quality players. So I don't think even if we don't go to India it will make any difference to us," he added.

India and Pakistan's cricketing encounters have been marred by strained relations between the two nations. The last time India played in Pakistan was during the 2008 Asia Cup. However, subsequent bilateral series have taken place on Indian soil. Pakistan toured India for a T20I and ODI series in 2012-13, and again in 2016 for the T20 World Cup. Unfortunately, India has not reciprocated these visits due to the persistently tense atmosphere between the two countries.

Miandad holds the view that sports and politics should remain separate entities.

"I always say one can't choose its neighbors, so it is better to live by cooperating with each other. And I have always said cricket is a sport which brings people closer to each other and can remove misunderstandings and grievances between countries," he went on to say.

In the latest development, Miandad has raised concerns about Pakistan being compelled to adopt a hybrid model for hosting the upcoming Asia Cup. Under this arrangement, India will refrain from playing any matches on Pakistani soil and will instead compete in Sri Lanka.

This decision did not impress Miandad.

"It was on the cards that they would again not send their team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup so it is time we also take a strong stand now," he continued.

India and Pakistan haven't played a Test match against each other since 2007 when Pakistan visited India. Instead, their meetings have been limited to ICC events and the Asia Cup since 2013. However, on October 15, the two teams are scheduled to face each other after almost a year. Their most recent encounter was in the 2022 T20 World Cup, and last year they played against each other three times, including two matches in the Asia Cup.

This increased frequency of matches between the arch-rivals in a single year is a promising development, and fans eagerly anticipate the prospect of an India-Pakistan World Cup game, which promises to be a captivating spectacle.