Exclusive | India boycotting Pakistan in Asia? Harbhajan Singh says: “Khoon Aur Paani Ek Saath Nahi Beh Sakte” | Cricket news
NEW DELHI:
“Khoon Aur Paani Ek Saath Nahi Beh Sakte. Hum Unko Itni Important Kyun Dete Hain? [Why do we give them so much importance?]”The legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh did not chop the words when asked if India should boycott Pakistan in the next Asian Cup, scheduled for September 9.Harbhajan was part of the world’s recently concluded world legendary championship (WCL), where India champions refused to play Pakistani champions in the group phase and the semi-final. The team – with pillars like Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina and Yusuf Pathan – took this position following the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
For Harbhajan, “Nation comes first”, and he thinks that the Indian team led by Suryakumar Yadav should refuse to play the neighbors.“They need to understand what is important and what is not. It is as simple as that. Hain, Unki Shahadat Ho Jaati Hai, Wo Ghar Wapas Nahi Laut Paate Hain – Unki Itni Badi Sacrifice Hoti Hai Hum Sabke Liye. Sakein. Sakein. [For me, the soldier who stands on the border, whose family often doesn’t get to see him, who sometimes sacrifices his life and never returns home — their sacrifice is so immense for all of us. Compared to that, this is a very small thing — that we can’t even skip playing one cricket match. It’s a very small matter]”Said Harbhajan to Timesofindia.com in an exclusive interview.India is placed alongside Oman, host of the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan in group A. Group B, meanwhile, includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka.
It cannot be the case that there are battles on the border, tensions between the two nations, and we are going to play cricket. Until these big problems are solved, cricket is a very small deal
Harbhajan Singh
“Our government has the same position,” Khoon Aur Paani Ek Saath Nahi Beh Sakte. “” (Blood and sweat cannot coexist). It cannot be the case that there are battles on the border, tensions between the two nations, and we are going to play cricket. Until these major problems are solved, cricket is a very small deal. The nation is still coming first, “said Harbhajan.“Whatever our identity, it is because of this country. Whether you are a player, an actor or someone else – nobody is bigger than the nation. The country comes first, and the tasks that we owe to it must be fulfilled. Na khelna bahut maamuli cricket match if chee Hai desh ke saamne [Not playing a cricket match is nothing compared to the importance of the nation]”Said the old Spinner.“Humare Sarhad Pe Bhai Khade Hue Hain, Jo Hume Protect Kar Rahe Hain, Humare Desh Ko Protect Kar Rahe Hain – Unke Hausle Dekho, Wo Kitna Bada Hai Dil Dil leke wa Khade Hunke. Parivaar by Kya Beetati Hai Jab Wapas Nahi Aate. [At the border, our brothers are standing, protecting us and our country. Look at their courage, the big hearts with which they serve. Think about what their families go through when they don’t return home. And here we are, playing cricket]”He said.
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Should India boycott Pakistan in the next Asian Cup?
“Hmm unko itni importance kyun dete hain? Are they so important? Are this important news channel Ki Har Unko Chalaye? When you boycotted them, when you don’t want to talk to them, so why show them here? It is the duty of the media-to stop this. They should not add fuel to fire.“As I said, cricket players should not shake hands with Pakistani players, but the media should not show them and their reactions on television.India is the title champions of the Asian Cup. They beat Sri Lanka with 10 counters to win their eighth title – most by all countries in the history of competition.
