Kapil Dev Doesn't Need Money, Everyone Else Does, Says Shoaib Akhtar As He Hits Back At Ex-India Skipper

Shoaib Akhtar has responded to Kapil Dev after the former India skipper said that India do not need to play against Pakistan in order to generate funds for the fight against coronavirus. Earlier this month, Shoaib Akhtar raised a number of eyebrows by proposing a closed-door series between the two arch-rivals.

The former Pakistan fast-bowler said that the series could be played to jointly raise funds to fight the deadly virus both in India and Pakistan. Unsurprisingly, Kapil Dev was not at all impressed with the proposal and slammed the former pacer for his comments. The legendary allrounder stated that “India doesn’t need the money” and it is not worth risking lives for a cricket match.

Apart from Kapil Dev, former IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla had also laughed off the proposal from Shoaib Akhtar. However, the ex-fast-bowler still thinks that a series between India and Pakistan should be played to raise funds for both the countries. He said that Kapil Dev misunderstood his statement as he clarified his comments. Shoaib Akhtar said that while Kapil Dev does not need any money, everyone else does.

“I don’t think Kapil Dev understood what I was trying to say. Everyone is going to be trapped economically. This is the time to put our heads together and generate revenues. I’m talking about the larger perspective, about economic reforms. The global audience would be hooked by one single match, it will generate revenues. Kapil said he doesn’t need the money and he surely doesn’t. But everyone else does. I think this suggestion will come into consideration soon,” Shoaib Akhtar told Aaj Tak.

Shoaib Akhtar further said that he knew and understood India better than even the current prime minister of Pakistan and has seen the poverty in both the countries and hence, as a human it was his responsibility to extend as much help as possible.

“I had said that I know India more than even Imran Khan himself. I have travelled to many areas and interacted with many people there. I keep telling people here what Indians are all about. Our countries have a lot of poverty. I am saddened when people are suffering. As a human and as a Muslim, it is my responsibility to help as much as I can,” he said.

“So I was only asking what options we had if nothing happens for the next six months. What will all the people, who are employed because of cricket, do? What will happen to those whose livelihoods depend on cricket? Time has come to put our heads together, to plan on how we will generate revenues. The only option we have is holding a fundraising match. Maybe it leads to betterment in the relationship. I am talking about a larger perspective,” he added.

Meanwhile, the India-Pakistan bilateral relation is also at an all-time low.  The arch-rivals have not played a full bilateral Test series since 2007 when Pakistan visited India for three Tests and five One-Day Internationals. They played a short series of three ODIs and two T20s in India in December 2012, but otherwise, both have faced each other only in the ICC organised events or the Asia Cup.

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