“The many times I’ve played in India, we’ve enjoyed the pressure and the crowd there because it motivates you and the conditions in India suit us.”
PTI and ESPNcricinfo staff
Former Pakistani captain Misbah-ul-Haq He has advocated for the selection of his country to be able to compete in the ODI World Cup in India and said not sending the side for the mega event would “deprive people” of the chance to see the arch-rivals clash on the biggest stage.
“When there can be contacts between the two countries in other sports, why not in cricket?” Misbah said at a function in Karachi. “Why link cricket to political relations? It is unfair to deprive people of the opportunity to watch their teams play against each other.
“It is a great injustice to the fans who follow Pakistani and Indian cricket a lot.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently informed the ICC and BCCI that the national team’s participation in the World Cup in October-November this year is subject to government authorization due to the tense relations between the two countries.
India has refused to play its Asian Cup matches in Pakistan due to geopolitical tensions, and after months of speculation, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced that the event will take place in a hybrid model with four games in Pakistan and nine in Sri Lanka (neutral venue) from August 31 to September 17.
Misbah felt that it was time for Pakistan to go to India and that the Indian team should also come to Pakistan to play matches.
“Certainly Pakistan should be playing in the World Cup even in India,” he said. “The many times I’ve played in India, we’ve enjoyed the pressure and the crowd there because it gives you motivation and the conditions in India suit us. Our team has the ability to do well in the Indian conditions.”
Misbah also advised players to focus only on cricket and winning the World Cup.
“What’s happening outside of their sphere, they shouldn’t think about that,” he said. “The key to doing well at the World Cup in India is to get the XIs to play well at particular venues and against particular opposition.”
During a media round table On Friday, ICC President Greg Barclay said the ten participating teams will “show up” for the World Cup which begins on October 5 and runs until November 19. “We expect under the terms of the participation agreement that all teams will appear at all events. Nothing to suggest that will not be the case at the World Cup later this year.”
Former Misbah teammate and captain Shahid Afridi he also felt that Pakistan should travel to India for the World Cup.
“There is pressure, but the fun is also (playing under) that pressure,” he said. “People say we shouldn’t go to India and boycott (the World Cup), but I am totally against that. Pakistan should go to India and win the World Cup.”
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