“I don’t know what the fuss is all about. Even if Pakistan and India don’t play, it is not going to affect world cricket nor the cricket of both countries,” Yousuf told PTI in an interview.
He said that since both the cricket teams have been largely unaffected by each other’s absence, the current brouhaha doesn’t really make any sense.
“All this talk about Indo-Pak cricket series being essential for world cricket and for both countries doesn’t make sense to me since as it is we have not been playing regularly for years now and yet it has not affected our cricket,” he said.
The batsman mentioned that barring the period between 2004 and 2007, when regular bilateral ties existed between the two arch-rivals, the cricketing history has, for most of its existence, been affected by long gaps between tours, and yet, both the countries have continued to develop as cricket’s stalwarts.
“Otherwise historically there have always been long gaps between the two countries. And it has not stopped the progress of either Pakistan or Indian cricket. We have survived well and if we don’t play against each other it doesn’t mean international cricket will stop.”
Pakistan should concentrate on PSL: Yousuf
He targeted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and said that the board must acknowledge the fact that it has been running after India to play a series against them only for financial gains, as he believes that the Board, as well as the players, are well-off otherwise.
“I just see the financial angle as the reason for pushing for the series. And as far as I know the PCB is financially well off given the number of well-paid employees they have on their payroll, the perks and benefits enjoyed by their senior officials and the lavish spending and travel of the board people.”
He insisted that the PCB should rather focus on domestic cricket, and leave this unnecessary drama that has unfolded and has caught the entire world’s attention. He said that there is no question of PCB being in financial doldrums as the organization of the Pakistan Super League is a testimony of the opposite.
“So I would advise the PCB to stop talking about the significance and necessity for playing with India as it would boost world cricket.”
“The fact that we are going to have the Pakistan Super League shows we don’t have any financial problems. It is another thing just how this event will benefit the domestic level players in the long run,” said Yousuf.
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