Murali Kartik slams Pakistan’s boycott drama, says even kindergarten kids don’t behave like this

Former Indian left-arm orthodox spinner Murali Kartik slammed Pakistan for their Asia Cup boycott drama on Wednesday. Pakistan Cricket Board threatened that they would back out of the continental tournament if match referee Andy Pycroft is not removed from officiating in their matches after no handshake saga against India.

But, PCB’s demands were not met by the ICC and as there could have been risk of getting a huge fine, Pakistan eventually decided to play against UAE. However, the match kicked off one hour later than its scheduled time of 8:00 PM IST.

“The only word I can think of right now is absolutely childish and churlish. I can’t think of anything else. If you wish to take a stand, please proceed. I think for everybody in life, you take a stand, but stick to it, have the conviction to stick to it,” Kartik said while speaking on Cricbuzz.

“Just because when you see, oh, there could be a financial implication, which literally is 16 million US dollars over a handshake saga or over something like this. I can’t think of anything,” Kartik said.

“I think people in kindergarten, even kids in kindergarten nowadays, do not behave like this,” Kartik added.

On the other hand, former Indian batter Rohan Gavaskar highlighted that young kids in Pakistan who were thinking of watching their heroes in action, will now have to stay awake for one more hour on a weekday.

Pakistan had earlier refused to leave its hotel for the must-win group game and there was a lot of drama before the match.

In the end, Salman Agha’s team decided to take the field and registered a 41-run win against UAE. Pakistan will next take on India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday.