Kapil Dev Says A Big 'No' To An India-Pakistan Bilateral Series

Updated - 25 Apr 2020, 08:03 PM

Kapil Dev, India, Pakistan, ICC World Cup 2019
Kapil Dev. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images for Laureus)

India’s world-cup winning captain, Kapil Dev has vehemently opposed to an India-Pakistan bilateral series and reiterated his views. The two cricketing nations have not locked horns together in a bilateral series since 2012. The only time India and Pakistan play against each other in recent times is in an ICC event or a multi-nation tournament.

The way things are at the moment, cricket has undoubtedly taken the back seat. But to everyone’s surprise, Shoaib Akhtar, who is known for his bold statements, proposed a closed-door series between India and Pakistan to jointly raise funds to fight the deadly virus in both the countries.

Shoaib Akhtar, Babar Azam, PSL 2020, New Zealand, Super Over, India
Shoaib Akhtar. Credit: Getty Images

However, Kapil Dev has re-affirmed that he is not personally in favour of having a game between the two cricketing giants until their relations off the field don’t improve.

Kapil Dev Reiterates His Views On An India-Pakistan Bilateral Series

Kapil said if Pakistan is so desperate to resume bilateral cricket with India then the country first stop anti-India activities at the border and instead spent that money in noble causes.

“You could be emotional and say that yes, India and Pakistan should play matches. Playing matches is not a priority at the moment. If you need the money, then you should stop the activities at the border,” he said.

Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev. Credit: PTI

“The money which will be spent can be used to build hospitals and schools. If we really need money than we have so many religious organizations, they should come forward. It is their responsibility. We offer so much many when we visit the religious shrines, so they should help the government,” Kapil Dev added.

Cricket Can Wait, I Am Looking At The Bigger Picture: Kapil Dev

The world has come to a standstill with no immediate signs of resumption of the sport of any kind due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic. But sports can wait, feels the 61-year-old former India captain.

Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev. (Credits: AP)

“I am looking at the larger picture. Do you think cricket is the only issue we can talk about? I am rather worried about the children who are not being able to go to schools and colleges because that is our young generation,’ Kapil told YouTube channel ‘, Sports Tak’. “So, I want schools to reopen first. Cricket, football will happen eventually,” Kapil said.

Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar Reveals Ravi Shastri’s One Advice That Changed His Entire Career

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India vs Pakistan Indian National Cricket Team Kapil Dev Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Pakistan national cricket team The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)