Beat Pakistan once again instead of giving away 2 points: Sachin Tendulkar

Tendulkar stressed on the fact that not playing Pakistan may backfire us in the tournament. Instead, India would be better off beating Pakistan than forfeiting the June 16 tie

Amid the rising demands to boycott India’s clash against Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup in England, former Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has opined another way to give a fitting reply to the arch-rivals in the mega event.

Tendulkar stated that he would hate to give away two points to Sarfraz Ahmed and his men in the mega event. He stressed on the fact that not playing Pakistan may backfire us in the tournament. Instead, India would be better off beating Pakistan than forfeiting the June 16 tie.

“India has always come up trumps against Pakistan in the World Cup. It’s time to beat them once again. Would personally hate to give them two points and help them in the tournament,” said Tendulkar.

“Having said that, for me India always comes first, so whatever my country decides, I will back that decision with all my heart,” the legendary batsman added.

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— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 22, 2019

While the likes of Harbhajan Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal have called for a complete cricketing boycott of Pakistan, Gavaskar on Thursday said India will be the loser if they decide to not play against Pakistan on June 16.

“Who wins if India decide against playing Pakistan in the World Cup? And I am not even talking about the semis and the finals. Who wins? Pakistan win because they get two points,” Gavaskar said.

“India have so far beaten Pakistan every time in a World Cup, so we are actually conceding two points when by beating Pakistan, we could make sure that they don't advance in the competition,” he had said.

The World Cup begins in the United Kingdom on May 30.

On Friday, the Committee of Administrators running Indian cricket decided against taking any position on the matter for now.