IND vs PAK: "Whatever the political scenario..." - Navjot Singh Sidhu makes huge 'criminals' comment on India-Pakistan bilateral ties

Former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has shared his views on the current bilateral ties between India and Pakistan. In the wake of the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai, India had suspended all bilateral ties with Pakistan.

The arch-rivals have not played a Test series against each other since 2007. After the suspension of the bilateral ties in 2008, both countries have played only one bilateral series between them when Pakistan visited India in the 2012-13 season for a short limited-overs series. Since then, they have only played against each other in the ICC tournament and in the Asia Cup.

The Men in Blue and the Men in Green are all set to face each other again on Sunday (June 9) in the 19th game of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. It will be the first match between them this year. And ahead of the game, Navjot Singh Sindhu has opened up on the ties between the two neighbors.

Cricket is something different: Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu stated that cricket should not be mixed with politics as he highlighted the importance of sports as a unifying factor. The former cricketer-turned-commentator said that cricket should be used to bring the two countries together.

"Whatever the political scenario, cricket is something different. There are no criminals in sport, there are only ambassadors of your country. I have said this before as well: sport plays a role in uniting countries.

"Cricket has now become diplomacy as well between these two countries. It should get the two countries together; cricket is a big unifier. Cricket should be a great method to unite the two countries," Sidhu said during a special Star Sports Press Room event in New York.

Sidhu is currently in the USA as a commentator for the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan are all set to resume their rivalry in T20Is when they face each other on Sunday. India began their campaign with a win over Ireland and another win will put them in the driver's seat to make it to the next round.

On the other hand, Pakistan are in deep trouble after losing to the USA in the first game and another defeat will deal a huge blow to their chances of progressing ahead.