The Indian team’s withdrawal from Sunday’s World Championship of Legends match against Pakistan has sparked a big social media discussion about the future of sports between the two nations. This match, featuring former cricketers, set hopes for current players. Despite India and Pakistan only playing in multi-team events, there are increased calls to boycott these stages too.
Ex-Pakistan opener Salman Butt questioned the Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions team’s decision to withdraw from the game. Butt wants the Indian team to promise they’ll keep the same position when the two teams are set to play in an ICC event.
India-Pakistan cricket matches often create such conversations. However, this isn’t the case with other sports between the countries. Butt wishes to stop India vs Pakistan sports battles, even in events like the Olympics.
On his YouTube channel, he said, The whole world is talking about them – what message have they sent to cricket and the fans? What are you trying to show or prove? Now don’t play in the World Cup or against us in any ICC tournament. Promise this. We understand everything has its place. But since you are interlinking, don’t play against us at any level or tournament, not even the Olympics. Please do that. The stakes would be high, and I’d see how much nationalism they can show.
In closing, the former Pakistan opener said the WCL decision seemed pressured.
He added, What is this mindset? I just can’t understand. Who is making this decision? Because of those 4-5 people who decided not to play, others who wanted to play felt pressured.