Kapil Dev snubs Shoaib Akhtar's idea of Pakistan-India series
Kapil Dev snubs Shoaib Akhtar's idea of Pakistan-India series
NEW DELHI (Web Desk) – Former Indian captain Kapil Dev on Thursday snubbed Shoaib Akhtar’s idea of a made-for-television three-match ODI series between India and Pakistan to raise funds for the COVID-19 pandemic, PTI reported.
Kapil Dev said, “The situation is unlikely to get normal anytime soon and organizing a cricket game means putting our cricketers at risk which we don’t need to.
“It is just not worth the risk. And how much money can you make from three games? In my view, you can’t even think of cricket for the next five to six months.”
It is pertinent here to mention that Shoaib Akhtar had on Wednesday proposed a three-match ODI series against arch-rival India to raise funds for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in both the countries.
“In this time of crisis, I want to propose a three match series in which for the first time, the people of neither country would be upset at the outcome of the games,” Shoaib Akhtar told PTI from Islamabad.
“If Virat (Kohli) scores a hundred, we will be happy, if Babar Azam scores a hundred, you will be happy. Both teams will be winners irrespective of whatever happens on the field,” he said.
“You are bound to get massive viewership for the games. For the first time, both countries will play for each other. And whatever funds are generated through this can be donated equally to the government of India and Pakistan to fight this pandemic," added the 44-year-old.
“Everyone is sitting at home at the moment, so there will be a massive following for the games. May be not now, when things start improving, the games could be organized at a neutral location like Dubai. Chartered flights could be arranged and the matches could be held.
“It could even lead to resumption of bilateral cricketing ties and relations of both countries improve diplomatically. You never know,” said the Rawalpindi Express.
“The whole world will tune into it, so much money can be raised to deal with this crisis. In difficult times, the character of the nation comes forward."
