\'It\'s the mother of all matches\': Pakistani who once sang Indian national anthem urges New Delhi not to boycott WC clash



'It’s the mother of all matches': Pakistani who once sang Indian national anthem urges New Delhi not to boycott WC clash

Adil Taj

, ANI

Since the Pulwama attack, many sports personalities and leaders have demanded to put a complete ban on Pakistan. Talks about India boycotting the clash against Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup have also been doing the rounds.

However, a Pakistani cricket fan Adil Taj, who was in the limelight after he had sung the Indian national anthem during Indo-Pak Asia Cup match in 2018 has a message for every cricket fan.

In a video, he has urged everyone to not boycott the India and Pakistan match and let it continue as it is.

He said, “After the Pulwama incident many have said that India should boycott Pakistan in World Cup match, however, nothing will happen even if you boycott a cricket match. In UAE, Pakistanis and Indians are still sharing the old bond after the Pulwama incident.

“It is because of cricket that India had toured Pakistan in 2004 and 2006, and if you ask those Indian players, they will tell you how much respect and love they received from Pakistan. Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar have many times told on record that they receive more love from India than Pakistan."

He also said, “Cricketers and cricket fans have always shared a good bond. In Shahid Afridi's house, you will still find a Sachin Tendulkar signed Indian team jersey framed. After Shahid Afridi's retirement, even Virat Kohli had gifted him his Indian team jersey on which the current Indian players have signed and Virat Kohli wrote, 'It was always a pleasure playing against you Shahid bhai'.

“Virat Kohli also gifted Shahid Afridi a bat which he could donate to the Shahid Afridi foundation. There are many such examples which prove that cricketers share a very loving bond with each other.

“So please do not boycott this match. The match should happen as per schedule. It is a much-awaited match. It is the mother of all matches. Even ICC director had mentioned how they received 400,000 ticket applications for Pakistan and India match especially after knowing that the stadium is only a 25,000 seater.”

World Cup is scheduled to begin on May 30 in England and Wales, with India and Pakistan slated to lock horns on June 16 at the Old Trafford in Manchester.