Cricket should win after Pakistan-India match: Shoaib Akhtar

World's fastest pacer says cricket will have to win after the epic clash between arch-rivals

The world’s fastest-ever bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes the Pakistan-India match in the Champions Trophy represents victory for cricket, and urged the players to show each other respect.

“My relation with India is that of respect,” he said while talking to an Indian channel. “The love I receive from the Indian fans is immense. And likewise, Pakistanis love great players like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. It won’t be Pakistan or India’s defeat in the match; it will be the victory of sub-continent’s cricket.”

The 41-year-old added that only cricket suffers due to the tensions between both countries, everything else remains the same. “Pakistanis always want to play cricket with India. Tell me when were there no tensions between Pakistan and India in the last 70 years? Cricket series still took place during those tensions. Trade is still happening between both countries. People are travelling to and from both countries. The relation of respect and love will always stay between the people and cricketers of both countries.”

While talking about the strategy India would be applying during the 50-over encounter, Akhtar said they will be thinking about their bowling combination since they have a strong batting line-up.

“We have to see what combination India plays against Pakistan, whether they will play three pacers, two spinners. We will have to see if they play five bowlers or four bowlers and an all-rounder,” he said.

No Pakistan-India match is loss for cricket: Sehwag

Former Indian opener Virendar Sehwag believes no bilateral series between Pakistan and India affects cricket direly.

“Cricket loses when Pakistan and India don’t play because the matches always go down to the wire,” said Sehwag. “The matches have high entertainment value. Moreover, the younger players grow mentally when they participate in such a contest. When I played against Pakistan in 1999, I turned into a better cricketer. These matches teach you a lot.”