Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq, a former cricket captain for Pakistan, has argued that his nation's squad should be permitted to compete in the ODI World Cup in India because failing to do so would "deprive people" of the chance to watch the bitter rivals square off on the grandest platform.
Misbah a 49-year-old former Pakistani captain and coach said "When there can be contacts between the two countries in other sports, why not in cricket. Why link cricket with political relations? It is unfair to deprive people of a chance to see their teams play against each other".
"It is great injustice to the fans who follow Pakistan and Indian cricket a lot," added the batter, who has more than 11,000 international runs.
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The national team's participation in the World Cup in October-November of this year is subject to government approval due to the tense ties between the two nations, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently informed the ICC and the BCCI.
Geopolitical tensions have prevented India from hosting its Asia Cup matches in Pakistan. As a result, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced that the tournament would instead be held in a hybrid format, with four matches taking place in Pakistan and nine in Sri Lanka (a neutral venue), from August 31 to September 17.
Zaka Ashraf, the acting chairman of the PCB, is also advocating for neutral venues for Pakistan's World Cup matches against India.
Misbah believed it was time for Pakistan to visit India and for the Indian squad to visit Pakistan to play games.
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"Certainly Pakistan should be playing in the World Cup even in India," he added.
"The many times I have played in India, we have enjoyed the pressure and crowds there. Because it gives you motivation and conditions in India suit us. Our team has the capability to do well in Indian conditions." Misbah also advised the players to just focus on cricket and winning the World Cup.
"What is happening outside their sphere they should not think about it. The key to doing well in the World Cup in India is to get the playing XIs right at particular venues and against particular opposition." Afridi too felt Pakistan must go to India for the World Cup.
"The biggest challenge for me or for any professional cricketer is dealing with the pressures which come with playing in India and trying to do well there in front of Indian crowds," said Afridi.
"Overall we have enjoyed playing in India because the satisfaction and recognition you get if you can do well and perform in Indian is a worthy reward for any player," he added.
The all-rounder added that Pakistan's World Cup matches will be played at excellent locations if proper planning was done.
"We have a very good side and some outstanding talent and I don't see any reason why we can't go to India and do well there even if we play at Ahmedabad," he added.
"It is a bother for the players and fans alike. I say develop a system so that it doesn't matter who comes and goes, the system should stay and decisions must be respected." He also felt that cricketers need to be given leading roles in the PCB since they know the sport and understand the psyche of players.
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