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'Budhha pagala ho gaya hai' - Fans react as Javed Miandad releases fresh venom at India; says Pakistan should not travel to India for World Cup

Former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad said the PCB should not allow its men to tour India for the 2023 ODI World Cup.

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Javed Miandad

Javed Miandad (Source: Twitter)

Javed Miandad Javed Miandad (Source: Twitter)

The ODI World CUP 2023 is set to take place in India later this year, with reports suggesting that the major multi-national tournament will begin on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium between finalists of the last edition, England and New Zealand. However, Pakistan's participation is still uncertain, although reports say the two arch-rivals will clash on October 15 in Ahmedabad.

Earlier, there were reports that Pakistan might boycott the 50-over World Cup as the Indian Cricket Board refused to allow their players to travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023. The threat posed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) increased when the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) initially rejected its 'hybrid model' of hosting the Asia Cup, which was later authorised. However, there is still no confirmation as to what exactly is the PCB's plan for the World Cup as the Cricket Governing Body is yet to release the full schedule.

Amid all these speculations, former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has expressed his opinion on what should be PCB’s stand over the matter. Miandad says Pakistan should not travel to India for the World Cup since it is the turn of Indians to visit their neighbour country.

"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," Miandad said.

“Pakistan cricket is bigger…we are still producing quality players. So I don’t think even if we don’t go to India it will make any difference to us," he added.

Watch Javed Miandad's video below: 

India's move was always on the cards: Miandad

The Indian Cricket Board refused to tour Pakistan due to security concerns. Team India last visited Pakistan in 2008 for the 50-over Asia Cup. Bilateral cricket tournaments between the two countries have since been suspended due to geo-political tensions. Known for his unconventional style of captaincy and batting, Miandad believes that sports and politics should not be mixed.

“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,” he said.

“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,” the 66-year-old concluded.

Here's how Twitter reacted to Javed Miandad's statements: 

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