New Delhi: Slamming Shoaib Akhtar’s proposal to arrange an India versus Pakistan three-match ODI series to raise funds for the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian cricketing legend Kapil Dev said that it’s not worth risking lives to collect money.
The former India captain also said that the country has enough money to deal with the crisis.
In an interview to PTI, Kapil Dev said, “He (Akhtar) is entitled to his opinion but we don’t need to raise money. We have enough. For us, what is important right now is that how our authorities work together to deal with this crisis. I am still seeing a lot of blame game on television from the politicians and that needs to stop.”
He added: “Anyway, the BCCI has donated a hefty amount (Rs 51 crore) for the cause and is in a position to donate much more if the need arises. It doesn’t need to raise funds.”
Kapil also stated that cricketers cannot even think of playing for the next five to six months, until the situation is under control.
Expressing his concern for the poor, the 61-year-old World Cup-winning skipper said that everyone’s focus right now should be on saving lives and helping the underprivileged, who are unable to make ends meet due to the lockdown.
“Cricket will resume when things get normal. The game can’t be bigger than the country. The pressing issue is to look after the poor, the hospital workers, the police and all other people who are on the frontline of this war,” said Kapil.
