Aakash Chopra makes a politically incorrect India-Pakistan statement faces backlash from fans

Talking about India-Pakistan cricketing ties is always like walking on the blade of a sword. While most prefer to stay on either side and be safe, former Indian cricket Aakash Chopra decided to be politically incorrect this time. He was talking about both the teams and their performance in the T20 format as Pakistan is ranked No.1 and Team India occupies the 2nd spot and suggested that they should engage in bilateral cricket.

Fans from both sides of the border were excited when the schedule for the Asia Cup 2018 was announced. India will play Pakistan in a league stage match on September 19 which will be the first encounter between the two teams since the Champions Trophy 2017 final. Aakash analysed their game and arrived at a conclusion that while the Pakistani team relies on its bowling to win matches the Indians are a batting heavy unit with a balanced bowling attack.

He wants them to play cricket – forgetting the political and diplomatic tension between the nations. The 40-year-old is of the view that when trade and commerce are unhindered by the unrest across the border why are sports fans made to pay for it. Chopra went to the extent of stating that Ashes is just an overhyped rivalry whereas the real battle is the one between the two neighbours.

Here is his original tweet:

#Pakistan is the top ranked T20I team in the world. #India is 2nd. One relies on its bowling while the other has a formidable batting lineup. Why don't we see these two T20I powerhouses take on each other more often? #AakashVani pic.twitter.com/uoLBRlyeTK

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 25, 2018

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction and Aakash’s post got both types of reactions. While most ‘nationalists’ thought he was talking non-sense and till the time the dispute isn’t resolved they shouldn’t play any cricket as the nation comes first. Some even asked him to check with his Delhi team-mate Gautam Gambhir on why India shouldn’t engage in bilateral cricket with Pakistan.

Reactions where fans were of the opposite view:

yr tum ku apna cricket prem beech ke ghusedte ho…u knw pakistan humare desh me kitna atankwad faialta hai kya uske sath bina khele aap mar rhe ho..kya

— rahul verma (@RahulVerma666) July 25, 2018

Brother tag @GautamGambhir he will tell you why not play with Pakistan.

— Sir K L RAHUL (@SirKLRahul) July 25, 2018

Because we dont want @TheRealPCB get financial help though our matches. 👍 and this is good too…for your kind information sports are meant for nation ….nothing is more important than nations. So control your cricketing emotions.👍

— Atul (@Indorieeee) July 25, 2018

Cricket is not greater than nation the kind of unstability pakistan has making across the border we cant afford to have match on other sides.Reason why i admire @GautamGambhir stance always 🙂

— shubham Raizada (@starkindustry22) July 25, 2018

#Pakshittan is the top ranked Terrorist Nation in the world. India is not in the list. One relies on it’s Terrorist while the other on it’s #IndianArmy. Why in this world we should ever see one Terror camp and A beautiful Country collide on field?#DeshVaani

— SUMEET BHAKT (@IplPutra) July 25, 2018

Just like you don't know. As a cricket lover I will certainly like one but as an Indian I will never like that to happen on Indian grounds. Everything is fair in love and war, at a time we are in war

— sunjeet kumar (@sunjeetsonu) July 25, 2018

We are not wanting to play with teroriststan, terror & peac both are not role at a time.

— Pranab Das (@PranabD55886738) July 25, 2018

Not everyone thinks it is a bad idea and thus a lot of people from both sides lauded Chopra’s post which includes former Pakistani pacer, Shoaib Akhtar.

Here are some of the positive responses:

I agree.. 👍🏻 But Real Test would Be In The Test Series!!! 🏏

— Faisal Iqbal🏏🇵🇰 (@FaisalIqbalCric) July 25, 2018

Looking forward to it bro.. 👍🏻😊

— Faisal Iqbal🏏🇵🇰 (@FaisalIqbalCric) July 25, 2018

Well done gr8 analysis brother ..

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) July 25, 2018

Aap try karo na. Dono taraf support haasil hai apko mashaAllah and you are respected on both sides as well👍🏻🇵🇰🇵🇰

— Ahmer Siddiqi (@SiddiqiAhmer) July 25, 2018

Yaar aap jaisi baatien saare kyu ni karte. Y spread hatred when we can coexist with peace n harmony. Kuch kadam aap chalo kuch hum

— GAURAV KAUTISH (@GAURAVKAUTISH21) July 25, 2018

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