India should forfeit match against Pakistan even if it's WC final: Gambhir

Two points are not that important. The country is important, those 40 soldiers who lost their lives are far more important than a cricket match, said Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir on Monday suggested said that the BCCI should take a clear stand against Pakistan as far as cricketing ties are concerned. Either they snap every bond with the arch-rivals or engage with them at every level.

Dejected by the recently held Pulwama attacks, the former cricketer asserted that the Indian board has to decide and be prepared for the consequences as ‘there can't be conditional bans’.

“There can't be conditional bans. Either you ban everything with Pakistan or open everything with Pakistan. What has happened in Pulwama is absolutely not acceptable,” Gambhir said during a promotional event.

“I am sure it's going to be difficult for India to boycott them in ICC tournaments but stop playing Pakistan in the Asia Cup,” he added.

Outspoken in his support for the armed forces on social media, Gambhir reiterated that there should be a blanket ban on engagement with Pakistan even if it comes at the cost of being ostracized by the sporting community.

Asked what should be done if the two teams meet in the final, Gambhir said in that case, India should forfeit the final.

“Two points are not that important. The country is important, those 40 soldiers who lost their lives are far more important than a cricket match. If we let go of a World Cup final, the country should be ready for it. A certain section of society says that don't mix sports with politics but Jawans are far more important than a game of cricket,” said Gambhir.

The BCCI had appealed to the ICC to snap ties with countries from where terror-emanates in a veiled reference to Pakistan. But the request was turned down at the ICC Board meeting in Dubai.