Published: Feb 04, 2016, 12:13 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 04, 2016, 12:27 PM (IST)
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar fears that the current generation of India and Pakistan cricketers, as well as their fans, may forget the intense rivalry the two countries share on the cricket field. Akhtar said because of the lack of cricket between India and Pakistan, there might be a time when people from both the countries — including the cricketers — forget how intense the rivalries have been since a very long time on the cricket field. Akhtar said the current generation is missing out on the ‘beauty’ of the India-Pakistan rivalry, adding that politics of any form should be kept away from the sport. ALSO READ: Shoaib Akhtar: Indian bowlers should spend 6 weeks with Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis
Akhtar told Times of India in an interview, “It’s very depressing that there’s not been much cricket between India and Pakistan, not as much as it should ideally be. I’ve always felt that every now and then we should find an opportunity to play each other. Generations of cricketers from both countries have experienced this rivalry, the pressure that comes with it, and have matured as cricketers.”
He added, “This generation is missing out on the beauty of that rivalry. There’s no fan interaction or crowd engagement happening and that’s further worsening things. Politics, be it in (cricket) administration or any other platform should be handled separately and cricket should go on. There’s always a way out.”
Akhtar said that India’s Virat Kohli and Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz have been the most improved cricketers from both the sides. He said, “There is no cricket happening, therefore this present set of players wouldn’t know what the rivalry is all about. For me, Virat Kohli is the best batsman right now and Wahab Riaz has changed so much as a pace bowler. Where’s the opportunity to test their skills against each other? A youngster like Mohammed Aamer could learn so much bowling to this Indian top-order. In fact, that’s something I’m really looking forward to when the Asia Cup begins. And of course, there’s the World T20 game to look forward to.”
