‘Isme tumhara ghaata, humara kuch nahi jata’ – Fans react as Javed Miandad says Pakistan should not travel to India for ODI World Cup 2023

The 13th edition of the ODI World Cup is all set to kick off later this year, in the month of October-November in India. This is the first time in 48 years that the tournament will take place entirely in India. India has acted as a co-host three times previously in the years 1987, 1996, and 2011 but never hosted the full event on its own. A total of 10 teams will be traveling to India for the upcoming 50-over World Cup which will be played at nine different venues.

According to the reports, the 2023 edition of the ODI World Cup is scheduled to kick start in October with a fixture between last year’s finalists, England and New Zealand at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, and the final will be played on November 19 at the same venue. India will their first match of the tournament against Australia at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on October 8.

In response to the Indian Cricket Board’s refusal to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, former Pakistan skipper, Javed Miandad has launched a new, fierce attack. After the ACC (Asia Cricket Council) accepted the ‘hybrid model’ for the Asia Cup, under which India will play all of its matches in Sri Lanka, Miandad, who has been harshly critical of India’s concerns about going to Pakistan to play cricket, could not hold back. This suggestion hasn’t satisfied Miandad, who believes that Pakistan should avoid traveling to India until the Indian cricket team comes to play a series here.

I always say one can’t choose its neighbours: Javed Miandad

“Pakistan has been to India in 2012 and even in 2016 now it is the turn of the Indians to come here. If I had to make a decision, I would never go to India to play any match, even the World Cup. We are always ready to play them (India) but they never respond in the same manner. Pakistan cricket is bigger… we are still producing quality players. India can go to hell. I don’t think even if we don’t go to India, it will make any difference to us,” Miandad told reporters.

However, Miandad believes Pakistan ought to take a difficult stand and refuse to send a team until the Indian Board does so first. The last time India visited Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup, but following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, relations between the two countries worsened. The two countries’ most recent bilateral series took place in 2012–2013 when Pakistan visited India for a three-ODI series in December–January.

“I always say one can’t choose its neighbours, so it is better to live by cooperating with each other. And I have always said cricket is a sport which brings people closer to each other and can remove misunderstandings and grievances between countries. It was on the cards that they would again not send their team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup so it is time we also take a strong stand now,” he pointed out.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Chips mang Raha hai

— ARYAN SHAH (@aryan2112shah) June 18, 2023

Desperation

— ErMediumpacer🇮🇳 (@ErMediumpacer) June 19, 2023

Paisa bolta hai

— Ganu_More (@Ganu962) June 19, 2023

Haa haa Pakistan cricket better hai,khus 😴

— Anayash Kumar🇮🇳🙏 (@anayashkumar) June 18, 2023

https://twitter.com/anayashkumar/status/1670504300076994561?s=20

This man is pure legend ! Who the hell is india ? Our cricket is definitely far ahead of them !

— RISHTOON (@GulKhan5091) June 18, 2023

https://twitter.com/Yashhhh1910/status/1670504785886478336