India-Pakistan, Harbhajan Singh, Government
Harbhajan Singh said whatever the decision the government will take, the BCCI will stick to it. Image Courtesy: Getty

The veteran India spinner, Harbhajan Singh, told India Today, whatever the government will decide, the BCCI will stick to the decision. Meanwhile, there has been a serious dilemma over India-Pakistan clash at the 2019 World Cup going as per schedule. In the wake of a ghastly terror attack in Pulwama, there were talks of India boycotting Pakistan at the cricket’s showpiece event. Though neither the govt. nor the board has taken a call on it; the decision is likely to be out only after the ICC meeting in Dubai on February 27th.

Government to take a final call

Apart from Harbhajan Singh and Sourav Ganguly, who said India should not face their arch-rivals in the group stage match, there were a few others who said cricketing ties shouldn’t get hampered. Among them was veteran India captain, Sunil Gavaskar. The ex-India opener said not playing Pakistan in Manchester on June 16th would help who? – Only them, as they will gain points. Instead, India should play them and beat them to ensure the Pakistani team doesn’t reach the semis. Gavaskar further said India should continue not playing Pakistan in the bilateral series; which hurts them more.

India-Pakistan, Harbhajan Singh, Sunil Gavaskar
Gavaskar was of the opinion that India-Pakistan match should go ahead as per schedule. Image Courtesy: Getty

“If India decide not to play Pakistan in the World Cup, who wins? Pakistan will get two points. We have beaten them every time in World Cups. We can play them and beat them and make sure they don’t reach the semi-finals. Not playing bilateral series vs Pakistan hurts them.

“I know India are strong enough to qualify by not playing Pakistan. Not playing bilaterally hurts them. But it’s a World Cup, it’s two points…,” Gavaskar said.

Not only, former India wicketkeeper-batsman, Farookh Engineer also noted on the same lines. He uttered India should thrash Pakistan in the UK for the 42 jawans, who lost their lives in Pulwama attack.

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CCI, RCA show support in protest against Pulwama attacks

On the one hand, the CCI  covered the portrait of World Cup winner and Pakistan PM, Imran Khan. Besides, the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has removed all the pictures of Pakistan cricketers from the photo gallery of Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

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