Would personally hate to give them two points and help them in the tournament, says Sachin Tendulkar

The BCCI is under immense pressure to pull out of the game against Pakistan in the upcoming edition of the ICC ODI World Cup which will be played in England & Wales. However, various former cricketers and present members of the Indian team have revealed that they do believe India should forfeit their match against Pakistan.

Now, cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar has expressed his opinion on the whole issue and echoed the sentiments of mentor and former India opener - Sunil Gavaskar. The right-handed batsman added that India would be better off beating Pakistan in the World Cup on June 16 in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel.

“India has always come up trumps against Pakistan in the World Cup. Time to beat them once again. Would personally hate to give them two points and help them in the tournament. Having said that, for me India always comes first, so whatever my country decides, I will back that decision with all my heart,” Tendulkar said in a statement to PTI.

However, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh and current India team member Yuzvendra Chahal have called for a complete cricketing boycott of Pakistan. Earlier, Gavaskar had said that India would be the only loser if they abandon their match against Pakistan.

“Who wins if India decide against playing Pakistan in the World Cup? And I am not even talking about the semis and the finals. Who wins? Pakistan win because they get two points. India have so far beaten Pakistan every time in a World Cup, so we are actually conceding two points when by beating Pakistan, we could make sure that they don’t advance in the competition,” Gavaskar had told India Today.