With Bangladesh expected, rather nearly confirmed to miss the fast approaching ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, things, it ought to be said that the Indian subcontinent is a burning place where cricket discussions stand. Why is it that? India on its part maintain the fact that with the World Cup just in sights and so close to begin, it’s practically impossible to reschedule the venues for one particular team- and rightly so? But the clamour beings to outpour from the other side of the border as raucous criticism comes India’s way from the aggrieved Bangladesh. Understandably so, you’d reckon? And now as Pakistan are delaying their decision regarding their confirmed participation in the famed World Cup event, the entire tournament seems to have gone up in a war of words with different views making the cricketing battleground a contentious subject than ever before. That’s even when ball one has gone live in the much awaited tournament.
Could there be a situation where both Bangladesh and now, as reports have it, even Pakistan refuse to participate or could all of the ensuing chaos get settled with urgent ICC involvement? You and I don’t have a clue.
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But what’s sure is that those in India’s stable aren’t stepping back anytime soon. The renowned veteran associated with BCCI and therefore, Indian Cricket for the longest time, Mr Rajeev Shukla has offered his humble two cents on Pakistan’s alleged involvement to misguide or misdirect Bangladesh with regards to their World Cup participation. In fact, Mr. Shukla didn’t hold himself back when asked to explain the current stand on what Pakistan cricket is up to at this time. Here, he’d say the following:
Speaking to ANI, Shukla said the BCCI had offered complete protection to the Bangladesh team and wanted them to participate in matches hosted in India.
“We wanted them (Bangladesh) to play. We assured them that complete security would be provided and that there would be no problems whatsoever. They would be given full protection. However, they decided that they wouldn’t play here, saying they couldn’t send their team. Pakistan is giving them false encouragement; Pakistan is unnecessarily involved in this, misleading Bangladesh and instigating them. Pakistan is playing a major role in provoking them. Pakistan shouldn’t be doing all this. The world knows what atrocities Pakistan committed against the Bangladeshis. The Bangladeshis know how much injustice was done to them when the country was divided. Now, they are trying to manipulate them, trying to lead them down the wrong path by pretending to be their well-wishers, which is wrong.”
Now, if this is actually true, then cricket lovers and commentators and game’s analysts must wonder what is being achieved by misguiding a cricketing unit? Why can’t the world be an example as a beacon of support in such tense times than take opposing sides and contribute to vitriol being spread against another nation?
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