Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi's recent remark about India's reluctance to play Pakistan in cricket has drawn a sharp response from former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh.
Sethi had suggested that India was avoiding a match against Pakistan due to concerns about the venue, but Harbhajan Singh dismissed these claims.
In a fiery response on Sports Today, Harbhajan Singh questioned Sethi's statements, stating, “Don't know what Najam Sethi is smoking nowadays. He says India does not want to play Pakistan because India is scared.”
India is never scared to play anyone: Harbhajan Singh
“India is never scared to play anyone. Don't know where this is coming from. They needed to sit with the Asian Cricket Council and see where the tournament is going to be held. Whether the weather forecast was right or not. Boss, come and play us wherever you want, we will beat you.”
The controversy arose due to concerns about the weather in Colombo, where the upcoming Super 4 game between India and Pakistan was scheduled to take place. The forecast indicated a 90% chance of rain throughout the match, raising doubts about the game's completion.
Notably, the previous fixture between India and Pakistan was washed out due to inclement weather, preventing the second innings from starting in Pallekele. To address this issue, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has included a reserve day for the anticipated clash. This is a unique provision, as it is the only match, apart from the final, to have a reserve day.
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While a reserve day has been put in place, efforts will be made to complete the game on the originally scheduled day by possibly reducing the number of overs. Moreover, if the reserve day comes into effect, the match will continue from the same stage.
It's important to note that the PCB had initially sought to shift the matches from Colombo to Hambantota due to the looming threat of rain. However, the ACC denied this request and opted for the inclusion of a reserve day instead.
The controversy surrounding the India-Pakistan cricket match and its venue highlights the passionate rivalry between the two nations and the importance of careful planning to ensure fair play despite unpredictable weather conditions.
Harbhajan Singh's strong response has added more intrigue to the upcoming clash, making it a must-watch event for cricket enthusiasts.
