Former Indian cricketers dismiss Akhtar's Indo-Pak series proposal

India’s former Test cricketer Harbhajan Singh, in an interview with IANS, dismissed Pakistan’s legendary fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s proposal of an Indo-Pak series, that would help both countries generate funds to combat the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

The 39-year-old argued that cricket should be the last thing on anyone’s mind.

“See cricket is the last thing on my mind at the moment. I am not even thinking about it,” Harbhajan told IANS in an exclusive chat. “There are other ways to raise funds. It is not necessary to hold a cricket match. I don't think anyone should think about sports and cricket at this hour. These are small things. Lives are at stake, understand that.”

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The former off-spinner claimed that the cancellation of tournaments does not make a difference if we can help people out of this crisis.

“Yes cricket has given us everything. Whatever I am today is because of cricket. But this is not the time to discuss cricket. I would like to talk about how we can help people,” he said. “One IPL, one World Cup...what difference will it make if it does not happen this year? But if these things go on, our lives will be finished.”

India’s pacer Sreesanth also dismissed Akhtar’s proposal by saying that he was not in favour of playing cricket with Pakistan until the relationship between the two countries improved.

“We are not in good terms with Pakistan so, India first and health first. Personally, I am not in favour of playing any match against Pakistan unless the relations between the two countries improve,” Sreesanth said.