Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh reacted to former PCB chief Najam Sethi’s jibe at the ACC for the ongoing weather issues at venues in Asia Cup 2023.
Initially the continental event was supposed to be held fully in Pakistan but then the Asian Cricket Council, led by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, decided on a hybrid model.
Barring four matches, all the other games are being played in Sri Lanka, however, thus far rain has played spoilsport in two Group A matches- India vs. Pakistan and India vs. Nepal. There was some rain interruption in the Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh game as well.
However, after the India vs. Nepal match saw the Men in Blue innings being shortened due to rain in Pallekele, Najam Sethi posted on X (formerly Twitter): "BCCI/ACC informed PCB today that they had decided to shift next India-Pak match from Colombo to Hambantota because of rain forecasts. Within one hour they changed their mind and announced Colombo as the venue. What's going on? Is India afraid to play and lose to Pakistan Look at the rain forecast!"
Commenting on the same, Harbhajan Singh said on Sports Today: "Don't know what Najam Sethi is smoking nowadays. I don't know how is he saying that they were the favorites or India does not want to play Pakistan.”
"Please someone give him the whole record where India have beaten them more number of times whenever they have played against each other. This is baseless kind of a thing for him, with the kind of stature that he holds at this moment for Pakistan cricket.
He says, India does not want to play Pakistan because India is scared. India is never scared to play anyone. Don't know where this is coming from. They needed to sit with the Asian Cricket Council and see where the tournament is going to be held,” Harbhajan added.
"Whether the weather forecast was right or not. Boss, come and play us wherever you want, we will beat you,” the turbanator said.
India will next play Pakistan in Super 4s on September 10 in Colombo.
(PTI inputs)
