The cricket boards of India and Pakistan have been at odds over the scheduling of the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup. While the previous is about to happen in Pakistan, the latter can be hosted by India later this 12 months. There have been studies that India would possibly play their Asia Cup matches at a impartial venue, however there was no affirmation on whether or not Pakistan will journey to India for the World Cup. The tensions between the 2 boards have led former Pakistan captain Imran Khan to criticize the Indian cricket board for behaving like a “superpower” and being “arrogant.”
Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan’s Prime Minister between 2018-2022, accused the BCCI of dictating world cricket as a consequence of their monetary energy. He additionally commented on the absence of Pakistan gamers within the Indian Premier League, which he claimed was a results of the Indian cricket board’s conceitedness. According to him, it was “strange” that the Indian board ought to take it out on Pakistani gamers by not permitting them to characteristic within the IPL.
“It is a sad and unfortunate affair, the relationship between Pakistan and India. There is a lot of arrogance in the way India now behaves in the cricketing world as a superpower. Because of their ability to generate a lot of funds, more than any other country, I think they almost dictate now as a sort of the arrogance of a super power of who they should play and who they shouldn’t,” Imran advised Times Radio on Friday, as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
Imran despatched a message to younger Pakistani cricketers, advising them to not fear about their non-participation within the IPL. He mentioned that Pakistan had high quality younger cricketers of their very own, and they need to concentrate on enhancing their abilities and representing their nation on the worldwide stage.
The 2023 version of the Indian Premier League has already begun, with defending champions Gujarat Titans taking over MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Super League concluded earlier this month, with Shaheen Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars successful their second successive title.
“I discover it unusual that the Indian cricket board ought to take it out on the Pakistan cricket gamers [by not allowing them to feature in the IPL] and it simply reeks of conceitedness,” he mentioned.
“If India doesn’t allow Pakistan to play IPL then Pakistan should not worry about it because Pakistan itself has quality young cricketers,” Imran mentioned.
The strained relationship between the cricket boards of India and Pakistan is unlucky, and it’s important for each side to discover a option to work collectively in the perfect pursuits of the game. While there are variations between the 2 boards, it’s essential that they don’t enable these variations to influence the sport and the gamers who characterize their respective international locations. Ultimately, cricket is a sport that unites individuals, and it’s as much as the directors to make sure that this stays the case.