Pakistani papers slam “churlish” India

ISLAMABAD, NOVEMBER 17: India's decision to cancel its tour of Pakistan in January is a `disgrace' to cricket at a time when the game is a...

ISLAMABAD, NOVEMBER 17: India’s decision to cancel its tour of Pakistan in January is a `disgrace’ to cricket at a time when the game is aready on its knees from match-fixing allegations, Pakistan’s press said on Friday.

“India is intent upon injecting poison in every sphere of its bilateral relations with Pakistan, sparing not even sports,” wrote The News.

“The excuse for the visit cancellation, already scheduledon ICC (International Cricket Council) itineraries, is at best lame and at worst insulting to the intelligence of all cricket fans.

“The Indian decision has disgraced cricket.”

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India was scheduled to play three Tests and five one-day internationals in January during its first Test tour of Pakistan in 11 years.

India’s foreign office said Pakistan’s “hostile propaganda and constant calls for Jehad (holy war)” provoked the cancellation.

But editorial writers here said cricket was above politics and called on ICC to take action against the “extremists” controlling the game in India. “This decision shows the clever, self-serving mind of Indian extremists,” said the Urdu-language Nawa-I-Waqat newspaper.

“It is wrong to sacrifice the game at the altar of politics. It is a show of narrow mindedness on the part of the Indians,” said the Jang daily.

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The present extremist Indian government is only interested in fanning hatred against Pakistan, even if it means damaging the game of cricket. This Indian attitide calls for retaliatory measures and India should be prepared.”

The Nation said India’s pullout was a “major blow to the spirit of sportsmanship” which was being nursed back into the game following this year’s match-fixing saga.

“Unfortunately the damage done to the game of cricket, already beset with match-fixing allegations, cannot be compensated,” it said, referring to the financial losses facing the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“Perhaps, judging by the relative strengths of the sides, India needs an excuse to avoid an embarrassing trouncing,” The Nation added.