Never made any statement on Indian cricket team or Cricket World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar was quoted by some Indian news websites over India-Pakistan World Cup clash. Akhtar denied speaking anything on the subject.

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In Short

  • India and Pakistan are scheduled to face-off in the World Cup on June 16
  • Shoaib Akhtar has denied speaking on the the impact of Pulwama terror attack on the India-Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup
  • "I completely deny the false news by Indian media about my statement on Indian cricket team," Akhtar said

Shoaib Akhtar denied speaking on the Indian cricket team and 2019 ICC World Cup after some Indian news websites quoted him speaking on India-Pakistan bilateral ties and the impact of Pulwama terror attack on the India-Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup in England and Wales. With the change in format, India are slated to play Pakistan at least once in the round robin stage.

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Opinions have been divided on whether India should play against Pakistan in the World Cup since the Pulwama attack. While some are saying India should boycott Pakistan in the World Cup, others have opined that India should play against them and beat them. There are also suggestion on the table that BCCI take it up with ICC that Pakistan should be banned from the tournament.

Indian news websites had quoted Shoaib Akhtar on a range of such issues but the former Pakistan speedster has denied speaking.

"I completely deny the false news by Indian media about my statement on Indian cricket team / World Cup 2019. I did not make any statement at all and Indian media is making it up. I condemn the loss of lives. Both countries should come to the table to resolve the issues," Akhtar said on Twitter.

Here is what Indian news websites has quoted Akhtar as saying -

"Honest reply, BCCI wants to play with Pakistan, the government says no. Had they played with Pakistan, Star Sports and BCCI would have earned the maximum revenue. The series would have a monetary value of 600 million dollars. Do you thik they don't? Of course, they want that. Now speaking on part of their argument, they want to play with Pakistan. Our Pakistan board had mentioned that they want to play a bilateral series and you cannot deny it although the series can be held at a different venue altogether. But they have said that they have a board to run which falls under Supreme Court. That is their argument and that is logical.

"Should sports stay political? Not at all. So these differences set in matters of circumstances. We strongly condemn the loss of lives. But when it comes to our country, we are one nation, united and we will stand by our Prime Minister's statement without having a second thought," Akhtar added. "They have a right to pull out. Their country was attacked and hence the decision. You cannot argue on that?

"Our forte is to talk about cricket and not about the political scene. When such things happen, try to create bridges as a cricketer. It is very important as players to talk about things that bring about unity rather than antagonising the situation."

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Sunil Gavaskar told India Today, "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..."

However, Harbhajan Singh had a different stance and strongly felt that India are strong enough to progress without playing Pakistan and stated staunchly that India should not play against Pakistan in the World Cup.

"India should not play Pakistan in the World Cup. India are powerful enough to win the World Cup without having to play Pakistan.

"One mistake will not correct the other one. Since we played in 1999 does not mean we should go ahead and do it again. We need to stand with our government and our soldiers. This is the time to talk and have a discussion which is far, far bigger than the World Cup. World Cup is not everything. Our country comes first, our soldiers come first and our government comes first. Cricket is not our first priority, our priority is our nation," Harbhajan told India Today.