Wasim Akram believes Pakistan should not boycott Twenty20 World Cup
Pakistan bowling legend, Wasim Akram expressed his opinion about the ongoing turmoil about the India-Pakistan bilateral series, telling that Pakistan should not boycott the World Twenty20. There has been speculation about Pakistan skipping the T20I World Cup scheduled to be held in India in February-March 2016.
India has been delaying their response with regard to when the bilateral series should be held. According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries last year, the bilateral series should be taking place in December 2015.
“I realise that the Indians have taken too much time over deciding on the bilateral series with Pakistan, but even if it does not happen now, it will happen soon. "But yes, I think the Indian board should also give a clear answer whether they want to play or not and put the issue aside,” Akram said while speaking at a function in Karachi.
Akram felt that boycotting a major cricketing event like the T20I World Cup would only affect Pakistani players and Pakistan Cricket in the long run.
“The World Twenty20 is an ICC event and we should participate in it at all costs. If we don't it will harm us in the long run. Not playing in the World Twenty20 will only affect our players and our cricket.
“If India doesn't want to play with us, fine, we can also survive without playing them. But the problem of terrorism will not be finished even if we play or don't play,” he said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Shahryar Khan said that The PCB will seek security clearance from the Pakistan government before making a decision on whether to send the Pakistan team to the 2016 T20 World Cup.
Akram believed that playing cricket would help both the countries resolve some of their issues and help the people to forget all the enmity that exists between the nations. Pakistan and India last played a bilateral series in December 2012-January 2013.
If India fails to come up with a schedule for a series soon, the PCB could move forward with legal action on account of not following the MoU.
Akram also gave his opinion about the ongoing indirect clash between senior Pakistan cricketer, Younis Khan and coach Waqar Younis.
“The way they are going at each other indirectly is not good for either of them or our cricket. If they have some issues they must sit down and discuss it and try to resolve it. If the solution to every problem was a fine than Waqar himself would have been fined lakhs of rupees by now,” Akram said.