Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh lashed out at the former Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Najam Sethi over his remarks on the venue changing of the India-Pakistan encounter in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.
Talking on a YouTube channel Sports Today, the 43-year-old stated that Sethi's remarks are baseless and he should be reminded of India's record against Pakistan.
"Don't know what Najam Sethi is smoking nowadays. I don't know how is he saying that they were the favourites or India does not want to play Pakistan," Harbhajan Singh said on Sports Today.
"Please someone give him the whole record where India have beaten them more number of times whenever they have played against each other. This is baseless kind of a thing for him, with the kind of stature that he holds at this moment for Pakistan cricket.
"He says, India does not want to play Pakistan because India is scared. India is never scared to play anyone. Don't know where this is coming from. They needed to sit with the Asian Cricket Council and see where the tournament is going to be held.
"Whether the weather forecast was right or not. Boss, come and play us wherever you want, we will beat you."
It must be noted that Harbhajan's remarks came after Sethi posted a long paragraph on X, formerly known as Twitter, questioning that if India is scared to play against the Green Shirts.
“BCCI/ACC informed PCB today that they had decided to shift next India-Pak match from Colombo to Hambantota because of rain forecasts. Within one hour they changed their mind and announced Colombo as the venue. What’s going on? Is India afraid to play and lose to Pakistan? Look at the rain forecast!” Sethi posted on X account.
It has to be mentioned that Shah has made a mockery of the Asia Cup 2023 as despite thunder showers prediction, he decided to hold all the Super Four matches in Colombo instead of Hambantota.
ACC and Shah have been under constant criticism from cricketing circles about the scheduling of the event since Sri Lanka is experiencing heavy rains which is likely to affect the upcoming Super 4 matches but regardless of the backlash, he has decided to keep the same schedule.
The group stage match between India and Pakistan was also washed out due to rain.
India's last group-stage match against Nepal was affected by rain after which the match was reduced to 23 overs during the second innings.