'Let's talk cricket,' Misbah-ul-Haq quashes question on Kashmir
What's the story
Pakistan cricket team coach Misbah-ul-Haq quashed a question by a journalist on the Kashmir issue and said the focus should rather be on cricket. Unlike other former Pakistani players, Misbah answered the question tactfully. He said this ahead of the first ODI against Sri Lanka at home. The match was abandoned due to rain. Here are the details.
Misbah
Misbah handles journalist's question in a mature manner
A journalist asked Misbah if the Pakistan cricket team intends in highlighting the Kashmir issue while citing the example of the Indian team wearing army caps after the Pulwama attack. However, Misbah wasn't going to associate himself with such topic and carefully handled the scenario. He said Pakistan sympathizes with Kashmir but the talks should surround cricket.
Twitter Post
Let's talk cricket!
Misbah-ul-Haq "the whole of Pakistan has sympathies with Kashmir - but let's talk cricket" #PAKvSL #Cricket pic.twitter.com/lAMW0c9Itd
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 26, 2019
Kashmir issue
India's decision on Kashmir didn't go well with Pakistan
The tension between India and Pakistan has been on for a while now and things have gone awry post India's decision to abrogate Article 370 which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of special autonomous status. This led to an outcry among Pakistanis as many sympathized with Kashmir. Former Pakistani cricket legend Javed Miandad threatened India and said he won't hesitate in using a sword.
Twitter Post
Miandad threatened India regarding Kashmir issue
Former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad threatening India while holding a sword: Pehle main balle se chakka marta tha, ab talwar se insaan maaronga (If I can hit six with a bat, why can't I swing sword.. I used to hit sixes with bat, now I'll kill humans with sword)... pic.twitter.com/blmK1XnbKS
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) September 1, 2019
Afridi
Afridi has been pretty active in blaming India
Another former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi also made several tweets regarding Kashmir and even went on to engage in a war of words with Gautam Gambhir. Not just that, he had blamed the Indian Premier League for several Sri Lankan players opting out of Pakistan tour scheduled to start from September 27. He accused IPL of threatening Lankan players with contracts.
Information
Pakistan versus Lanka ODI gets washed out
The first match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Karachi was washed out due to rain on Friday. In order to ensure better playing conditions, both boards decided to reschdule the second ODI on Monday. The match was set to be held tomorrow.