Shoaib Akhtar upset over India-Pakistan political tension

Just like an El Classico or a Manchester Derby, India vs Pakistan match is the greatest rivalry in cricket. Fans pour into the stadiums and the TRP’s break new records every time. However, cricketing ties between India and Pakistan are not healthy. Fans rarely get to witness a bilateral series between these two Asian cricketing giants.

Pakistan bowling legend Shoaib Akhtar is not happy about the increasing political tensions between the neighbouring countries. Cricket has been affected by politics which is not a good sign. The pressure and intensity of the Indo-Pak match ensures that not even a single seat is empty at the stadium. The nations must not allow the sport to be affected due to political tensions. Cricket and politics are two different things and shouldn’t come into each other’s way.

Greatest rivalry

“Its unfortunate that the best cricket teams of the world #Pakistan & #India are not playing matches against each other and r just doing politics instead,” stated Shoaib Akhtar, on Twitter.

Its unfortunate that the best cricket teams of the world #Pakistan & #India are not playing matches against each other and r just doing politics instead.#Shoaibakhtar #Wewantcricket #Nopoliticsjustcricket

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 1, 2018

The cricket fans in both the nations want to see their players face their counterparts. The arch rivals must renew their cricketing ties for the greater good of the game.

Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs of India had earlier ruled out the possibility of a bilateral series between India and Pakistan. The teams cannot face even on a neutral venue. Apart from the ICC tournaments, the two teams last played a series in December 2012 when Pakistan visited India for the limited overs series. The most recent India-Pakistan match was the ICC Champions Trophy finals where Indian players and fans had a day to forget.

No.1 batsmen vs No.1 bowler

Cricket is a gentleman’s game. To uphold the integrity of the game, these issues must be resolved at the earliest. Fans are hungry to watch an India-Pakistan match and they must be fed soon. Players like Hasan Ali, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are in prime form. The cricketing world wants to see Hasan bowl to Virat. People remain glued to their seats right from the first ball. Even if one is not playing in the match, he would feel like a part of it! Such is the intensity of the match.