“We Have Respect…”: Javed Miandad Explains His ‘India Can Go To Hell’ Remark

Javed Miandad previously stated that “India can go to hell” after learning that the national team would not be travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Javed Miandad sparked outrage after making comments about India refusing to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023. In response to the ACC meeting’s stance, Miandad said, ‘India can go to hell,’ which was criticised by people from both countries. In a video posted on YouTube by the former Pakistan captain, he clarified his remarks and stated that India not travelling to Pakistan will have no effect on the host nation. He went on to say that cricket relations between the two countries should be repaired as soon as possible, and that India’s participation in the Asia Cup would have sent a positive message.

“Do you understand what hell is? Don’t play if you don’t want to. We don’t have any issues. Ask the Indian cricketers. They’ll also argue that these two teams should play each other in their respective countries. “It will benefit both countries,” he says in the video.

“If they believe that their (India’s) absence from Pakistan makes a difference, let me assure them that it does not. That’s exactly what I meant. We are self-sufficient. Pakistan has produced top-tier cricketers and ice hockey players. Neighboring countries are playing with each other all over the world.”

India and Pakistan last met in the T20 World Cup 2022, with Rohit Sharma’s team winning by four wickets. According to Miandad, the India-Pakistan series is something that fans look forward to, and it can also help to mend relations between the two countries.

“Previously, we would go there and then they would come here. When India came to play a series in Pakistan, a large number of Indians came to watch. There were no hotels available, so the residents of Lahore invited them to their homes. It had a very positive impact on the two countries’ relations.”