‘They wouldn’t have done that to India, because India is rich and powerful’ – Michael Holding on England for pulling out of Pakistan tour

Former West Indies cricketer Michael Holding lashed out at England for calling off their tour of Pakistan. In October, England were set to send their men’s and women’s teams for bilateral series. But after New Zealand abandoned their tour due to ‘security threats’, England took a similar step that hasn’t gone down well with Holding and the Pakistan cricket fraternity.

Holding expressed his agony, and said that the ECB’s approach was reminiscent of their stand towards the talked-about ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement. The veteran said that England shouldn’t have backed away, especially after how Pakistan toured the UK when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak. Holding put forth his opinions after getting the Cricket Writers’ Club Peter Smith Award.

Michael Holding slams England for ‘western arrogance’

“Pakistan went to England before vaccines were available. They stayed, they played their cricket, they honoured what England had wanted them to honour, to save England’s butt, to put it mildly. You have an opportunity now to try to repay what Pakistan did,” Holding said as quoted by Mirror.

Holding said that he found it tough to comprehend ECB’s statement. “The ECB statement doesn’t wash with me. No substance. Nobody wants to come forward and face up to anything because they know what they did was wrong,” he stated

“So, they put out a statement and hide behind a statement. It just reminds me of the rubbish they did with Black Lives Matter.

“I won’t go back into that because I’ve said enough. But what that signal sends to me, is the same western arrogance. I will treat you how I feel like treating you, it doesn’t matter what you think, I’ll just do what I want.”

The 67-year-old Holding didn’t mince any words in saying that England wouldn’t have dared to call off a tour if India were the hosts because the BCC is “rich and powerful”.

“Four days in Pakistan? I’m absolutely sure they wouldn’t have done that to India, because India is rich and powerful,” Holding added.

Due to the cancelled series, the Pakistan players are taking part in the National T20 Cup to prepare for the T20 World Cup in the UAE. Earlier, Ramiz Raja, the PCB, and a number of former Pakistan cricketers, including Shoaib Akhtar, bashed England and New Zealand for their abrupt calls.