“The many times I have played in India, we have enjoyed the pressure and crowds there because it gives you motivation, and conditions in India suit us”, he said.
Former Pakistan Captain Misbah-ul-Haq strongly believes that Pakistan Cricket Team should be allowed to travel to India and take part in the upcoming edition of the ODI World Cup. He says that not sending the Team for the mega event will only cause some major harm to their board.
“When there can be contacts between the two countries in other sports, why not in cricket,” Misbah said at a function in Karachi.” Why link cricket with political relations?
It is unfair to deprive people of a chance to see their teams play against each other.” It is a great injustice to the fans who follow Pakistan and Indian cricket a lot,” he said as reported by PTI news agency.
“What is happening outside their sphere, they should not think about it. The key to doing well in the World Cup in India is to get the playing XIs right at particular venues and against particular opposition,” he further concluded.
India had refused to play their Asia Cup matches in Pakistan owing to geopolitical tensions, and after several meetings and conclusions, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced that the event will be played in a hybrid model with four games in Pakistan and nine in Sri Lanka (neutral venue) from August 31 to September 17.
“Certainly, Pakistan should be playing in the World Cup even in India, The many times I have played in India, we have enjoyed the pressure and crowds there because it gives you motivation, and conditions in India suit us. Our team has the capability to do well in Indian conditions,” he added.
During a media round-table on Friday, ICC chair Greg Barclay had said that all ten participating teams will “turn up” for the World Cup that begins on October 5 and will run until November 19. “We are expecting as per the terms of the participation agreement that all teams will turn up for all events. Nothing to suggest otherwise that it won’t be the case at the World Cup later this year.”
Misbah’s former team-mate and former captain of Pakistan Cricket Team, Shahid Afridi too feels that Pakistan must travel to India for the World Cup.
“There is pressure but the fun is also that pressure,” he said.
“People are saying we should not go to India and boycott the World Cup but I am totally against that. Pakistan should go to India and win the World Cup,” Afridi further added.
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