Legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis raised questions over the Indian team's integrity during their World Cup game against England
Dubai - It's really disappointing when former players make such comments, says Wassan
Published: Thu 11 Jul 2019, 10:34 PM
Last updated: Fri 12 Jul 2019, 12:55 AM
Former India pace bowlers Atul Wassan and Salil Ankola have hit back after Pakistan politician Fawad Chaudhry and legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis raised questions over the Indian team's integrity during their World Cup game against England.
Pakistan needed bitter rivals India to beat England to keep their own semifinal hopes alive. But India's 31-run defeat to the home team meant Pakistan's destiny was no more in their own hands.
Sarfaraz Ahmed's men did go on to win their final league game against Bangladesh, but England's back-to-back wins over India and New Zealand had sucked the life out of their campaign.
While former players Sikander Bakht and Basit Ali accused India of deliberately losing to England, the cricket-obsessed country is now celebrating their bitter rivals' shock defeat at the hands of New Zealand on Wednesday.
And Fawad Chaudhry, Pakistan's Minister for Science and Technology, didn't hide his feelings on Twitter after India lost to New Zealand by 18 runs despite a 116-run seventh wicket partnership between MS Dhoni (50) and Ravindra Jadeja (77).
"Pakistanion ki #NayiMohabbat #??NewZeeland (Pakistan's new love, New Zealand)," Chaudhry tweeted soon after India were knocked out of the World Cup.
Chaudhry even retweeted a disgruntled Pakistan fan that said: "Dhoni you deserved such disgraceful exit for polluting the gentleman's game with fixing and bias!"
Chaudhry was not the only public figure to question India's approach in the match against England.
Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis also took a dig at India.
"Such a brutal game this Cricket and a great leveller... Bites you back when you are expecting the least #CWC19 I learnt a great lesson today 'Never Abuse The Game' #INDvsNZL," Waqar tweeted on Thursday.
The former Pakistan captain had also earlier raised doubts over India's loss to England.
"It's not who you are.. What you do in life defines who you are.. Me not bothered if Pakistan gets to the semis or not but one thing is for sure.. Sportsmanship of few Champions got tested and they failed badly #INDvsEND #CWC2019," Waqar had tweeted.
But former India players Wassan and Ankola have hit back at their Pakistan counterparts.
"It's silly and immature to say that India didn't try to win against England because even chasing 240-250 hasn't been easy in this World Cup. And India were chasing 338 against England," Wassan told Khaleej Times.
"I can understand such reactions from fans. But it's really disappointing when former players make such comments.
"If they make such comments, they also have to back them up with proofs," he added.
And Ankola simply bowled a bouncer when asked for his response.
"This is all petty stuff and our country doesn't indulge in petty stuff," Ankola told Khaleej Times.
"You know it's the joker that makes the most noise in the circus!"
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com
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