Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf believes the proposed Pakistan-India series will do nothing else than filling up the Pakistan Cricket Board’s coffers as it will hardly have any impact on world cricket or the cricket of both countries.
“I don’t know what the fuss is all about. Even if Pakistan and India don’t play, it is not going to affect world cricket or the cricket of both countries,” said Yousuf.
“All this talk about Indo-Pak cricket series being essential for world cricket and for both countries doesn’t make sense to me since as it is we have not been playing regularly for years now and yet it has not affected our cricket,” he stated.
Yousuf, who holds the record for scoring most runs in Tests in a calendar year, said that only between 2004 and 2007 the cricketing relations between both countries normalised.
“Otherwise historically there have always been long gaps between the two countries. And it has not stopped the progress of either Pakistan or Indian cricket. We have survived well and if we don’t play against each other it doesn’t mean international cricket will stop,” he said.
The 41-year-old said that PCB should be straightforward while pushing for the series by mentioning the revenues it would generate for the board.
“I just see the financial angle as the reason for pushing for the series. And as far as I know the PCB is financially well off given the number of well-paid employees they have on their payroll, the perks and benefits enjoyed by their senior officials and the lavish spending and travel of the board people.”
“So I would advise the PCB to stop talking about the significance and necessity for playing with India as it would boost world cricket.”
Yousuf also observed that if Pakistan had any financial constraints they would not have been organising the Pakistan Super League.
“The fact that we are going to have the Pakistan Super League shows we don’t have any financial problems. It is another thing just how this event will benefit the domestic level players in the long run,” he said.
