‘Send back Hasina too’: Owaisi questions BCCI move against Bangladeshi pacer
New Delhi: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday questioned what he described as India’s “double standards” over the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to ask Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman, while former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina continues to stay in India.
Owaisi said if the Bangladeshi cricketer could be sent back, the same logic should apply to Hasina, who has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh amid mass protests, NDTV reported on Monday.
"A Bangladeshi woman is living in India, so send her also. Why is she being stopped in the country? Stability in Bangladesh is important for India. China and Pakistan are active in Bangladesh. We have to look into that too," NDTV quoted him as saying.
Referring to past events, the AIMIM leader pointed out that India continued to play cricket with Pakistan even after Pakistan-origin terrorists killed tourists in the Pahalgam terror attack. "After the Pahalgam attack, we played with Pakistan in the Asia Cup," the chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) said.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court denies bail to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam in Delhi riots ‘larger conspiracy’ case
The (BCCI) last week ordered Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan-owned (KKR) to release Rahman amid the ongoing violence against Hindus in the neighbouring country. The decision allows the IPL franchise to look for a replacement player ahead of the 2026 season.
The move sparked political reactions, with some leaders, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, cautioning against mixing sports with politics.
Bangladesh has been asking Hasina to return. She and her family have, however, said it would be a sham trial by a radical administration that is also politically hostile to her. India had noted the death sentence given by the so-called 'International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh'.
The BCCI, in its communication to KKR, said releasing the Bangladeshi pacer would give the franchise flexibility to make alternative arrangements if required.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
