“I don’t think India will travel to Pakistan because it’s not safe to go there,” says Harbhajan Singh
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh responded to the ongoing discussion surrounding the Asia Cup 2023, in which the BCCI has maintained its stance of refusing to visit Pakistan, the host nation.
The Men in Blue must visit Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), or they would boycott the 2023 World Cup in India.
The Asia Cup controversy began in October of last year when Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary and head of the Asian Cricket Council, notified the public that India would not be travelling to Pakistan for the competition and insisted on a different location. In retaliation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a strongly worded statement threatening to boycott the 2023 ODI World Cup if Pakistan is not granted hosting rights.
Experienced cricketers from both countries have voiced their opinions, and former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has joined the clamor, vehemently supporting the BCCI.
Harbhajan Singh said, “I don’t think India will travel to Pakistan because it’s not safe to go there. We see a lot of things happening there every second or so. Why would we want to travel to that country where you know their Prime Minister is not safe? Some people go on to fire on him. There are a lot of things happening. I don’t think it’s safe, and Team India should not travel there. This is what I believe, and yes, you want to play India against Pakistan at a neutral venue. There is no harm.”
“India shouldn’t travel to Pakistan as it isn’t safe there and why are we taking risk of travelling when their own country people aren’t safe. Our government is taking the correct decision not to go to Pakistan for any series as our first priority is the safety of our players,” Harbhajan explained.
“Every time the Indian Team steps on the pitch we all have high hopes for their victory. Even this time we want them to be victorious. We hope that the result would be different this time and India ends up with a victory. Virat Kohli scored a century he is in a good form I believe that we have a goofed chance. If India scores 400 runs then they have the bowlers to take wickets and win the game,” Harbhajan continued.
Jasprit Bumrah’s services would be missed by India at the WTC 2023 final, which will be contested at The Oval starting on June 7, 2023, according to Harbhajan.
Harbhajan Singh dropping truth bombs 💣 #MSDhoni𓃵 #ViratKohli #Shubmangill #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/w0W4Z3hw1W
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) March 17, 2023
“The team will feel the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. But we have Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur a bowler who has performed well in the Test format. Even Deepak Chahar could perform well in England. India needs to find the third bowler, Umesh Yadav is also there. So we have good bowlers. Our spinners have played a lot of cricket Jadeja and Ashwin have played there but I think only one will play there. We don’t have Bumrah but I think Shami will step up on the occasion,” he concluded.
