Renowned cricket broadcaster Ashish Roy has said that the recent Pakistan-India match was not played in the true spirit of cricket. Drawing a comparison with the era of racial segregation when non-white teams refused to play against South Africa, he criticized the conduct surrounding the game. In a statement, Roy stressed that if a team participates in a contest, it must behave in accordance with the spirit of the sport.
Referring to the stance of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the Andy Pycroft matter, he noted that while efforts are underway to find a middle ground, the PCB has remained firm on its position. He further expressed disappointment over the attitude of the Indian cricket authorities, who, according to him, acted on government instructions to adopt unethical behavior. “It is sheer hypocrisy to play a match but refuse to shake hands with the opposition,” Roy remarked. He urged the England and Australia cricket boards, along with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), to intervene and ensure that hostility does not spill over onto the cricket field.
