Javed Miandad has advised the Pakistan cricket team against travelling to India for the 2023 World Cup later this year until the Men in Blue visit the country.

India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan due to political tensions between the two neighbouring countries has forced the upcoming Asia Cup to be hosted as a hybrid model. The hosts for the tournament, Pakistan, will host four matches – all not involving India – and the remaining nine games will be played in Sri Lanka.

India last toured Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup, while Pakistan have travelled to India for the 2011 World Cup semifinal, the 2012/13 white-ball series and the 2016 T20 World Cup since then.

Babar Azam’s side are also expected to fly to India for the 2023 World Cup in October this year, with reports suggesting that the team will play a majority of their games in Chennai and Kolkata, with the big clash against  India rumoured to be played in Ahmedabad.

However, Miandad believes that Pakistan should not bow down to India’s whims and fancies, and refuse to visit the country until they return the favour. Speaking to reporters, the former Pakistan skipper said, “We should refuse [to go to India] until they don’t visit. Pakistan should not live in their fear. India were supposed to come and play in Pakistan [for the Asia Cup]. We have gone and played in India recently [for the 2016 T20 World Cup]. Initially, Pakistan would tour India and then the next year, they would visit us.

“This behaviour will ruin the country. Now India are extending a hand, but there is no benefit for Pakistan in this. Sports is something which strengthens ties and builds relations. But, I strongly believe that till India do not come to Pakistan, we have no reason to go there either. They can get lost if they don’t want to come here.”

He also added that, in his view, Pakistan cricketers have more quality than their Indian counterparts and that they have made a name for themselves across the world because of their higher standards.

“We are better than them [Indian cricketers]. Our cricket is of a higher quality and is more competitive than India’s. We do not worry about our cricketers. We have enough money and a lot of cricketers being born in Pakistan are making a name for themselves in the world.”

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