Former India cricketer turned expert Aakash Chopra has lashed out at former Pakistan cricketer like Waqar Younis and Abdul Razzaq for saying that India lost deliberately to England during World Cup 2019 in order knock out rivals Pakistan.
Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed were some of the former players who alleged that India threw the match which meant Pakistan were knocked out of the 2019 World Cup in the round-robin stage.
The allegations made by former Pakistan cricketers grew stronger after England all-rounder Ben Stoke recently mentioned in his book, ‘On Fire’, that he was surprised by India’s approach and lack of intent in the run chase.
Chopra has rubbished all such claims and urged the ICC to fine all those who are saying that India lost on purpose in that game.
“Think a little and have some shame. Waqar Younis, despite being the brand ambassador for the ICC, gave a statement during the World Cup that India threw the match away on purpose. I mean seriously,” Chopra said on his Youtube channel.
“It is understandable if the partnership between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma didn’t make sense to Stokes or if he was confused by Dhoni’s approach towards the end. But he never said that India deliberately lost the match.
“Former Pakistani cricketers are openly saying that India lost deliberately and ICC should fine them. How can you think like that? It was more important for India to top the group at that time,” Chopra said.
India had qualified for the semis as the top-ranked team but lost to New Zealand in their last-four clash. England then defeated the Black Caps in a dramatic final game to win their maiden 50-over World Cup title.
Jonny Bairstow’s 109-ball 111 saw England post a mammoth 337 in Birmingham. The hosts then restricted India to 306 for 5 despite Rohit Sharma’s 102 to win the match by 31 runs. It was the only loss India had suffered in the round-robin stage in their campaign.
The win helped England eventually qualify for the semi-finals in third place along while Pakistan finished 5th in the round-robin stage.