Ganguly also said a bilateral series between India and Pakistan was not possible after the Pulwama attack.
Sourav Ganguly (Photo: Facebook)
Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly is of the opinion that all sporting ties with Pakistan should be severed in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead last week.
The celebrated former cricketer even said not playing Pakistan in one group league match in the fifty overs mega tournament would not affect India’s chances. However, Dada, as he is popularly known among cricket fans, didn’t elaborate if the protest should be symbolic for one game or the Men-in-Blue should forfeit its chance if they happened to meet the neighbouring nation in the knockout stage of the tournament.
“This is a 10-team World Cup and each team plays matches against every other team and I feel if India doesn’t play a match in the World Cup, it won’t be an issue,” India TV quoted Ganguly as saying.
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“I feel it will be really difficult for ICC to go on with a World Cup without India. But, you also have to see if India has the power to stop ICC from doing such a thing. But, personally I feel a strong message should be sent,” he added.
Ganguly also said a bilateral series between India and Pakistan was not possible after the Pulwama attack.
Ganguly said India should cut off all ties with Pakistan. “And, whatever reactions came from the people of India…was right. There is no chance of a bilateral series with Pakistan after this incident. I agree that after this attack, India should not only stop playing cricket, hockey or football with Pakistan but should cut all ties with them,” Ganguly said.
Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh too has aired is opinion that India should not play Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup, saying the players were Indians first and cricketers later.
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