‘We have respect’ – Javed Miandad takes U-Turn after ‘India can go to hell’ remark

Recently, former Pakistan skipper Javed Miandad made a remark that ‘India can go to hell’. He was reacting to the Indian Cricket Board’s reluctance to allow the national side to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023. The Indian board has cited non-permission from the Indian government for travel to their Asian neighbors. Meanwhile, after his statement, former India pacer, Venkatesh Prasad tweeted ‘But they are refusing to go to hell :)’

A few days after this, the 1992 World Cup winner issued a clarification. He started by saying that the fans in Pakistan won’t mind if India doesn’t travel to their country. The right-hander also mentioned that players from both countries would say yes to playing cricket against each other. The six ODI World Cup veteran added that Pakistan has produced world-class cricketers and hockey players.

“Do you know what hell means? If you don’t want to play just don’t. We don’t have a problem. Ask the Indian cricketers. They’ll also say that there should be cricket between these two teams in their respective countries. It’ll benefit both nations,” he said in the video.

“If they think that their (India) not coming to Pakistan makes any difference, let me tell you that it doesn’t. That’s what I meant. We are independent. Pakistan has produced world-class cricketers as well as hockey players. Everywhere around the world, neighbouring countries are playing with each other.”

Indian players used to stay with the residents in Lahore: Javed Miandad

Miandad further added reminisced the time India and Pakistan cricket team used to travel each other’s nations.

“Earlier we used to go there and then they used to come here. When India came to play a series in Pakistan, there were so many people from India who also came to watch. There were no hotels available and the Lahore residents invited them to their houses. It had a very good impact on the relationships between the two countries.”