Pakistan-India series: ‘Cricket and politics cannot be kept apart’
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The prospect of a Pakistan-India series seems highly unlikely under the prevailing tensions between the two countries, but current and former players and officials believe cricket should not suffer because of ‘political game play’.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Anurag Thakur, recently said a series between Pakistan and India was not possible until relations between the two countries normalised.
But Pakistan's ODI captain, Azhar Ali, remained optimistic of the ‘special’ match up taking place soon.
“It would be good for cricket if Pakistan and India play. We want to play because doing well against India is always special,” the 30-year-old was quoted as saying by PTI.
Azhar hoped the governments in both countries resolve their issues soon.
“It is in the hands of the cricket authorities and governments. If we can have a series with India it would be great,” Azhar said.
According to former PCB chairman Najam Sethi, however, decisions on a Pakistan-India series could never be taken in advance as the political climate changed constantly.
“It is difficult to say at the moment whether we can have a series against India in December. Everything will now depend on what happens in the next few days after this Gurdaspur incident,” Sethi, who is the head of the PCB Governing Board, said.
“We have to wait and see whether sections of the Indian media or government start blaming Pakistan for this incident. But as far as cricket ties are concerned, decisions are made at the last moment,” he added.
Khalid Mehmood, another former PCB chairman, said the BCCI had problems every time it was Pakistan's turn to host a series
“What is noteworthy is that whenever India has to host us they manage to do it regardless of the situation between the two countries. The problems arise whenever it is time for Pakistan to host a series against them,” Mehmood said.
Former captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif said he was in never in favour of politics mixing with sports but relations between India and Pakistan were not of an ordinary nature, hence it was impossible to separate one aspect of ties from another.
“Many of us would like to see sports and politics being kept apart but in the real world this doesn't happen or the Western bloc would not have boycotted the Moscow Olympics nor would England or Australia refuse to tour Zimbabwe in the past years,” said Latif.
The comments from Pakistan's cricket fraternity come just days after Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq expressed a desire to retire from the game after taking on India for one last time.
“If the series against India happens, I want to play that series and probably retire from international cricket. So the India series can be my last one,” Misbah said.
India have not played a bilateral Test series against Pakistan since 2007, though they did host them for two T20Is and three ODIs between December 2012 and January 2013.
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Jul 30, 2015 04:14pm
Dont expect India to Play Pakistan, and dont humilate Pakistan by asking again and again, have some sense Mr Najam Seithi
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Jul 30, 2015 04:15pm
Stupid cricket , kick it out, we have more important things to concentrate on.
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Jul 30, 2015 04:23pm
PCB is dire needs of financial aid. That's appealing and pleasing BCCI to tour pakistan
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Jul 30, 2015 04:34pm
Similarly, politics and religious events should not be mixed. My humble advice to the Pakistanis is to accept the sweets given last month for Eid eat them and then start the debate about mixing politics with sports.
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Jul 30, 2015 04:46pm
Pakistan have not played with India for a very very long time. Few more years will not make any difference.
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Jul 30, 2015 04:54pm
With Indian boards and supporters, its always money which comes first and then comes politics. The love of the sports comes last.
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Jul 30, 2015 04:58pm
@sudhakar USA Really, We don't have any issue to eat the sweet and have been eating it since decade but the situation is worst now between the border due to your Indian army who is continuously breaking the law of loc by firing at citizens areas on Eid-ul fitr. Due to this shame act,five people had died and after all this happened, You are asking us to eat the sweets.So sorry my friend.
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Jul 30, 2015 05:01pm
@sudhakar USA Same goes to you guys, Sudhakar. Eat the mangoes that our PM had sent to your PM and then think about normalizing ties with Pakistan. In fact, give some to your media personnel as well. They direly need it!
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Jul 30, 2015 05:03pm
I completely agree with Khalid Mahmood. Regardless of any situation, India manages to host Pakistan and make huge profits (Pakistan's tour to India in 2012/13).
Its a ploy on BCCI and Indian government's part to deprive PCB and Pakistan cricket of much needed revenue.
Also, the Pakistani government has never prevented a bilateral series from taking place; it's always been the Indian government which has come in the way of cricket between the two countries. It's really unfortunate!
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Jul 30, 2015 05:07pm
Nothing is more important than the country pride. Indian is definately involve in our Baluchistan. But whenever any think happen in India they always put blame on Pakistan without any proof. So those who are at the helm of affair in PCB has to think about Pakistan and put Pakistan ahead of any thing. Contempt refusal is required form the PCB.
This is the voice of every patriotic Pakistani.
Pakistan Zindabad.
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Jul 30, 2015 05:09pm
@sandeep This might be true but the real fact is BCCI and your so called Modi's Govt does not want to see Pakistan a peaceful and developed country,that's why your Govt is opposing the CPEC project.which will boost up our economy and will bring more business.
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Jul 30, 2015 05:11pm
No more cricket with India if we have tiny bit of self respect left in us after the horrible they are committing in Khalistan, Nagaland, Manipur, Tamilnadu and Jammu and Kashmir.
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Jul 30, 2015 05:14pm
Your army is never going to allow the situation between the two countries to normalise. So stop trying to bring the people of the two countries together as it will never happen till your army goes back to their barracks and stops interfering in all the decisions made by your government. In the mean time it is best for India and Pakistan to stop talking to each other as its a complete waste of time.
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Jul 30, 2015 05:39pm
India and PK are I think one of only places on earth where they mix politics with sports. Especially India while PK is willing to play. Russia and US still play each other in hockey. N Korea and S Korea sill compete with each other. Cuba and US still play baseball against each other. Israelis and Arabs still play soccer. Yet India is stubborn and frankly a little immature on the matter. Why punish the masses for a mess politicians created?
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Jul 30, 2015 05:48pm
Infact we also want the ties should improve and in IPl Pakistan players play. There are many in Pakistan side who can make it to teams. It is a good opportunity for them to make some money. But there cannot be cricketing ties when cross border terrorism is continuing. It was thought that after the recent meeting of PMs of both countries, things should move forward. But it seems some forces in Pakistan are not in favour. In our life time it seems it will not happen. Terrorists keep coming form across the border and the the relations keep widening. Really a pity.
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Jul 30, 2015 05:56pm
Indian media is the cause of conflict between Pakistan and India, and also responsible for many other conflicts like between SRK and SK...etc
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Jul 30, 2015 05:58pm
Don't worry India will play Pakistan in world cup matches, if any scheduled.
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Jul 30, 2015 06:02pm
Mr.Modi accepted the basket of mangoes from Mr. Nawaz sherif on behalf of Pakistan but Pakistan rejected the basket of sweets on EID and in return India got Gurdaspur attack. Now India reject the offer to play with Pakistan. let the world decide who is playing politics
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Jul 30, 2015 06:05pm
We should not play India. It's not an exciting team to watch and not worth spending money on. Eng, Aus, SL and SA and recently BD are playing better and more interesting opponents by far. We will play India at home in Pakistan even if it is 10 years from now.
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Jul 30, 2015 06:23pm
Both countries should not trade or play cricket or allow its citizens to go/ work at each other till Kashmir situation is solved , Only Sick or those seeking shelter from religious persecution should be allowed
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Jul 30, 2015 06:32pm
@Timeto stopthis agree...but when somebody is in denial mode and brain washed.then it like bhains ke age been bajana.
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Jul 30, 2015 07:38pm
Whatever the situation....don't expect india to play in Pakistan...Pakistan needs to first get house in order. Security scenario in Pakistan is not conducive or international cricket. Till then best of luck
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Jul 30, 2015 07:56pm
Nobody is dying to play India, stop giving wrong signals.
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Jul 30, 2015 08:00pm
Mutual respect and no bullying, maybe then Pakistan should play ,otherwise look towards other teams they are not the only ones. Have some self esteem PCB.
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Jul 30, 2015 08:03pm
@sandeep Over the years Pakistan has played against every other cricketing nations except India. I don't think their are any financial need behind it. but anyway, I don't like them to play each other as long as political blame game is on.
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Jul 30, 2015 08:04pm
@kanwaljeet singh Pakistan is inviting India in UAE. Get your facts straight before commenting.
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Jul 30, 2015 09:31pm
Why does CRICKET have to suffer ONLY?
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Jul 30, 2015 09:32pm
After normalise the situations b/w two countries we can play cricket
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Jul 30, 2015 09:42pm
@mustafa
Well said. I have written multiple times to stop begging India. Leave India alone. If they want to play then India have to ask Pakistan otherwise Pakistan should forget. BBCI payed a very smart and trapped beutifully Pakistan inexperience officials to get into big 3. India does not need you jow, just go lick your wounds PAkistan but learn to play smart at least now
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Jul 30, 2015 10:07pm
Its not only Pakistan Cricket, Its about everything, Pakistan economy, Pakistan prosperity, Pakistan trade, Pakistan agriculture and so on...the list is countless ...Pakistan is paying heavy price for its hostility to India. On the other hand India also paying a price , but not like the Pakistan.
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Jul 30, 2015 11:26pm
India had played always politics with cricket. Political appointees in cricket have always used to postpone Pakistan India tout to please communal leaders for their lust and hunger for riots and hatred. Pakistan has survived and will survive . India does not want to play, so we also dont care ! Cricket is much more than India .
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Jul 30, 2015 11:33pm
@Wondipuli Who are you to reject?? With recent acts of terrorism and spying by India in Pakistan, Pakistanis are in no mood to have a cricket series with India. Fix yourself India then think of talking to us.
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Jul 31, 2015 12:18am
@Third Party well sooner you pay, with so much money , Indians are still the poorest, unhappiest and violent people by any standards. India has the biggest number of people who live in slums, under poverty line and ready to attack Pakistan anytime .
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Jul 31, 2015 12:22am
Do not take the field against Indians or afghans at any sporting events. As long as RAW agents and talibans continue to destabilize Pakistan, 99% of its citizens don't want anything to do with hindustan or afghanistan . 1% percent of Pakistanis that want to play hindustan or pathans are in PCB or on here saying they want cricketing ties with our obsessive neighbors who continue to malign the Pakistani name overseas.
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Jul 31, 2015 01:37am
Yes. We exchange fire on control line. Likewise we should exchange fire on the cricket pitch. This would appease many egos.
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Jul 31, 2015 01:40am
@haris Well UAE said no to PCB, that they will not allow cricket matches of Pakistan on the UAE soil as (Pakistan) home ground.
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Jul 31, 2015 02:03am
India will find a way-trust me.
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Jul 31, 2015 03:04am
@blue saffron Like what.
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Jul 31, 2015 03:14am
PCB has lost its self respect completely. Beggers sitting on top of board begging from series from a board which does not care about them, pathetic simply pathetic.. cricket will not die in Pakistan if it does not play with India.
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Jul 31, 2015 03:26am
@samir Dont worry.Pakistan will be starting their own version of IPL soon in Dubai.Lots of action of pakistani young and present players and top foreign players.Way to go.
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Jul 31, 2015 03:36am
@Khan-USA What has that to do with cricket?
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Jul 31, 2015 05:35am
@John Cool Read Third Party comments and then ask .
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Jul 31, 2015 06:02am
@John Cool
pakistan has already tried three times to copy IPL - but just like everytime pakistan tries to copy India (Bollywood or IPL or IT), pakistan always fails because it does not have the technical knowledge, business acumen or management skills to do anything!
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Jul 31, 2015 06:13am
@Khan-USA
Agreed but why does PCB keeps asking to play a series?
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Jul 31, 2015 06:17am
PCB will not falter in humiliating Pakistan again & again.
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Jul 31, 2015 07:22am
Let the game of cricket bring the two brothers together.
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Jul 31, 2015 07:59am
Misbah could retire at 57, if he waits for the India series!? :-)
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Jul 31, 2015 08:02am
At the end of the day, Cricket is a GAME. as we know the members of both the teams are called PLAYERS. YOU PLAY WITH YOU FRIENDS NOT YOUR ENEMIES, who send terrorists across the border to kill innocent people in your country like twice in Mumbai and now in Gurdaspur. There is not a single incidence of terrorists from India crossing over the border in to Pakistan and slaughtering innocent Pakistanis. So if India is the one that has refused to play with Pakistan on certain occasions they have done that justifiably so, as they are invariably the injured party. Kasab & Co. were sent in to India, and they mercilessly slaughtered over 160 innocent civilians while injuring close to another 250. Ask yourselves, if the shoe was on the other foot, and some from India had come in to Pakistan and committed such dastardly acts, would you want to play with India pretending it was business as usual? As you can see Cricket and politics can be inseparable under dire situations.
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Jul 31, 2015 08:05am
Pakistan should absolutely and positively NOT play with India -- for the next few years -- unless its in a tournament.
Really. As far as money is concerened India takes a big chunk anyways. Altough i do like some of their players but they are extremely arrogant.
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Jul 31, 2015 08:12am
@Mustafa haider hey man when japan announced they will invest in arunachal pradesh china warned them coz they say arunachal belongs to them .. so how come they invest in pak occupied kashmir which india claims their own.. and also ma friend we dont need pak's help to improve our sports .. we r miles and miles above u in sports & still improving .. we r gud in shooting wrestling boxing archery tennis badminton weightlifting et we never need ur help in anythng .. so pls tell ur sportspersons to go somewhere and play not here in india
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Jul 31, 2015 08:16am
@Dr.Sadaf then y ... y ur always saying come play come play come play to bcci .. stop it
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Jul 31, 2015 08:35am
@join cool ...to have Pakistani version of IPL. Pakistan needs to have Market based economy and sponsor base to support event of that magnitude. zamindari Economy or foreign aided economy cant make PPL happen. Somehow with the aid of China they manage to acquire nukes and started to think that they are saviour of Islamic world. But other powerful Islamic nation doesn't care about Pakistan and they are in real alliance with USA. whereas USA only uses Pakistan in the Name of alliance.
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Jul 31, 2015 08:58am
@Canada For your info the countries you mentioned are not in state of war. Why it is an obligation for India to play with Pakistan. What we have achieved playing with each other, more hatered in stands, TV debates and cease fire violations.
Leave India alone and try to think why no country want to visit Pakistan to play, you will get the answer.
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Jul 31, 2015 09:03am
@samir Yeah, when you are getting beaten then what excitement you feel. For your info PCB and all your player don't think the way you are thinking.
No body from India and BCCI are begging for any series with Pakistan.
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Jul 31, 2015 09:10am
@John Cool Pakistani IPL reminds ne of "if you gave a party, and nobody showed up" then what ?
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Jul 31, 2015 09:38am
Next ICC event is world T20 and it is in India. If the Pakistani public is so deeply concerned, PCB should not send their team to India to participate in the tournament! guess when the next ICC event will take place in Pakistan?
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Jul 31, 2015 10:18am
Main question is that Anurag Thakur is the member of the ruling party. Isn't holding the BCCI post at the same time and issuing government approved statements, totally outta place?
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Jul 31, 2015 03:39pm
I am a great lover of cricket, but I am fed up with the PCB, begging india to play cricket with us. Please have some respect for your country, as ( Mr Seithi) you don't have for yourself.
This is what indians are saying, now PCB please tell me what is it that you don't understand.
"Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Anurag Thakur, recently said a series between Pakistan and India was not possible until relations between the two countries normalised"
We should STOP all sports contacts with india. Because when it suits india they play other sports with Pakistan .
I am begging all our Pakistani brothers and sisters to start a movement that says clearly to our government NO SPORT WITH india.
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Jul 31, 2015 07:42pm
guys I am a Bangladeshi . I think it is not good to have hatred against each other . I enjoy very much when PAk plays with India no matter which sport it is .I think you guys should start playing matches again and should not think about politics .
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Jul 31, 2015 09:13pm
Yes, that's a fact of life that all fans, supporters, sponsors and cricket lovers have to endure and live with for many more years to come.
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