In my personal opinion India-Pakistan match should go ahead, says badminton star Prakash Padukone

Legendary sportsperson Prakash Padukone believes the upcoming match between India and Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup should be played despite the recent animosity between the two teams. Recently, in Jammu & Kashmir, a spate of firing was witnessed on the civilians, which predominately included locals. This has not gone down too well with BCCI and the government. Rajeev Shukla, the BCCI vice-president said under ICC tournaments no team has the right to not play matches.

Padukone echoed those sentiments and felt the match game should be played. The former badminton player also said that sports should not be merged with politics and should be kept aside. India and Pakistan match is set to be played on Sunday (October 24) at the Dubai International Stadium.

“I personally feel sports should not be mixed with politics and it should go ahead, that is my personal opinion, whether it happens or not, I am no authority, I am nobody to comment,” Padukone said according to Cricket Next.

“But if you ask my personal opinion, I think the match should go ahead, they have played in the past, so many times, so this is no different,” he added.

The situation and the backdrop are certainly not ideal as reports have emerged that 11 civilians have been killed during this month. The ICC has not given an official statement yet and by the looks of it, the match will be played.

India doesn’t give big statements and that’s why they perform well: Virender Sehwag

Speaking about the high-octane clash, India and Pakistan are set to face each other for the sixth time in T20 World Cup. India have dominated the proceedings so far as they have won all the previous five occasions. Virender Sehwag was quizzed about India’s success mantra against Pakistan and he said the team never gives big statements whatsoever and believes in preparation instead.

“There are always some big statements from the Pakistani side like he [Pakistani news anchor] said at the starting of his show that ‘We are going to change the date’. India never says such things because they go better prepared. And when you go better prepared, you already know what the result would be,” Sehwag said.