Asaduddin Owaisi stuns the cricketing fraternity with a big statement amidst Jay Shah's remark over 2023 Asia Cup

Asaduddin Owaisi and Jay Shah: (Image Source: Twitter)

India are all set to kickstart their 20-20 World Cup 2022 campaign against Pakistan on Sunday. Ahead of a blockbuster encounter, Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi stated that India should stop playing against Pakistan anywhere in the world.

“Why are you now playing the cricket match with Pakistan tomorrow? Nahi khel na tha. No, we won't go to Pakistan but will play with them in Australia. What is this love? Don't play with Pakistan. What will happen if you don't play with Pakistan? A loss of ₹2000 crore for the television? But is it more than what India matters? Leave, don't play,"

Notably, his statement has come on the backdrop of Indian Cricket Board’s secretary Jay Shah’s remark of India not going to Pakistan to play the Asia Cup 2023. He, rather, assured the fans that the tournament will be played at a neutral venue.

Owaisi also wished India the best for the 20-20 World Cup 2022 and expressed confidence in India beating Pakistan on Sunday.

"Now I don't know who will win the match. But I also want that India wins and that Shami and our children like Mohammed Siraj do their best to crush Pakistan," Owaisi said

"But these people will thump their chest if India wins and if India loses, they will start finding whose fault it was. What's your problem? This is cricket," the Hyderabad MP said in a veiled referred to the trolling of Muslim players.

A lot of reactions have come in from both the nations since Jay Shah made the Asia Cup remark. Former Pakistan veteran cricketer Wasim Akram said that it wasn’t wise for Jay Shah to make such a statement and that he should have called for a meeting and then made a decision.

"India cannot dictate on how Pakistan play their cricket. For 10-15 years, much cricket did not take place in Pakistan and now teams have finally started touring Pakistan. I am all for their difference, I am an ex-cricketer and sportsperson, I don't know whats happening on the political front. But people to people contact is very important," Akram told A Sports.

“If you wanted to say something like this Mr Jay Shah, then you should have atleast called our chairman and you should have called for a meeting of the Asian Council. You could have given your point of view and there could have been a discussion on it. You cannot just stand up and say we are not travelling to Pakistan,” he added.