Opposition MP Sanjay Raut has levelled ‘match fixing’ allegations after India defeated Pakistan during a high-octane Asia Cup match in Dubai. The men in blue had eked out a resounding seven-wicket win during the controversial clash that was sparked widespread protests and calls for boycott on Sunday. Political tensions also spilled onto the cricket pitch with Team India refusing to shake hands with the rival team after the match.
“PCB got Rs 1,000 crore. The match was fixed – out of Rs 1.5 lakh crore of gambling, Rs 50,000 crore went to Pakistan. You asked the IMF and Asian Development Bank not to give loans to Pakistan, as the money would be used for terrorism. But yesterday, Amit Shah’s son gave money to Pakistan. It’s their strategy to fund Pakistan to ‘strengthen’ their terrorism so that they attack us and they get political benefit,” Raut told reporters on Monday.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader had previously said on Thursday that his party would hold a ‘Sindoor Rakhsa’ campaign on Sunday to protest the match. Raut doubled down on his criticism of the Asia Cup clash on Monday — insisting that it was a
“shameless” turn of events. He also insisted that the game was “a disrespect to our Armed Forces” and the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Opposition questions ‘double standards’
Leaders from multiple Opposition parties had cricitised the India-Pakistan clash last week — calling it ‘treason’ and questioning ‘double standards’ in Indian government policy. The Supreme Court had refused to entertain an urgent plea seeking an interim stay on the September 14 match. Several members of the Opposition as well as influential businessmen and celebrities had also announced plans to boycott the match.
Members of the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi also set fire to an effigy representing Pakistani players while Congress leaders held a vigil for the Pahalgam victims. Meanwhile Indian T20 vice-captain Shubman Gill and skipper Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the seven-wicket win against Pakistan to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the armed forces.
India-Pakistan match details
Captain Suryakumar Yadav led India to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory against Pakistan in the politically-charged Asia Cup match on Sunday. A three-pronged spin attack laid the foundation of their second successive victory in the tournament when they restricted Pakistan for a below-par 127-9. Opener Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma contributed 31 each before Suryakumar, who made 47 not out, sealed India’s victory with a six with 4.1 overs still left in their innings. The Group A fixture was the first match between the sides since the nuclear-armed neighbours engaged in a four-day military conflict in May this year.
(With inputs from agencies)