ICC World Cup: Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar want India-Pakistan clash to happen: Reports

In the wake of Pulwama Terror Attack, the news surrounds whether India should boycott the World Cup game against Pakistan which is scheduled to take place on June 16 at Old Trafford, Manchester. In the Pulwama Terror Attack, a total of 40 CRPF jawans were killed in the act. As per the reports, India legends Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar want Indo-Pak clash to happen. On the other hand, Harbhajan Singh, Saurav Ganguly, and Mohammad Azharuddin are against the idea of the game.   

Sachin Tendulkar further went onto back his statement and said, 'We should play Pakistan and defeat them on the field'. However, the final statement will be taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tomorrow and this remains to be seen whether BCCI goes ahead with the former idea or latter. 

Earlier, as per the reports by NDTV, boycotting Pakistan clash in World Cup can draw a furious reaction from ICC and BCCI could be handed a ban by the international body. The Pulwama terror attack, which saw 40 CRPF soldiers attain martyrdom after a suicide bombing attack by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad, has evoked the emotions of millions across the country.

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A government source believes that if India boycotts the encounter against the men-in-green, it may lead to toa ban for life for BCCI.

“We should not get isolated in order to isolate Pakistan. Punitive action can be taken against us. ICC can even impose a ban on BCCI," the source further added. 

The likes of Harbhajan Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, and others have expressed their views and believe that India shouldn’t play against Pakistan.

Meanwhile, as per the schedule, India is set to play against Pakistan on June 16 at Old Trafford in Manchester and the much-awaited encounter is unarguably the biggest World Cup tie at the showpiece event with over 4,00,000 applications for the game, while the stadium can only accommodate 25,000 people. 

India last played against Pakistan in Asia Cup which held last year in Dubai. In the two games played against Sarfaraz-led Pakistan team, India clinched both encounters convincingly.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar want India Vs Pakistan to happen. 
• Harbhajan Singh and Saurav Ganguly aren't supportive of this decision. 
• As per the schedule, India will play against Pakistan on June 16.