"Unfair To Deprive People...": Former Pakistan Captain Questions PCB Over World Cup Stance

Former Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq has advocated for his country's team be allowed to compete in the ODI World Cup in India and added that not sending the side for the mega-event would be "depriving people" of the opportunity to see the arch-rivals clash on the biggest stage. "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," said Misbah, the 49-year-old former Pakistan captain and coach at a function here on Friday.

"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.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently conveyed to the ICC and the BCCI that the national team's participation in the World Cup in October-November this year is subject to government clearance due to the tense relations between the two countries.

India has refused to play its Asia Cup matches in Pakistan owing to geopolitical tensions, and after months of speculation around the continental tournament, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced that the event will be staged in a hybrid model with four games in Pakistan and nine in Sri Lanka (neutral venue) from August 31 to September 17.

PCB acting chairman Zaka Ashraf is also pushing for Pakistan's World Cup matches against India to be played at neutral venues.

Misbah felt it was time Pakistan should go to India and the Indian team should also come to Pakistan to play matches.

"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