The controversies surrounding the India-Pakistan cricket match refuse to die down as Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut made match-fixing allegations, stating that the Pakistan Cricket Board got Rs 1,000 crore from it. He added that it was a shame that the match happened.
Raut and Shiv Sena have been targeting the ruling parties for deciding to play the match. He alleged that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), under the influence of the BJP and its president Jay Shah, had forced players to play against Pakistan despite their reluctance.
VIDEO | Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match says, “It’s a shamelessness that the match happened. It’s a disrespect to our Armed Forces, those who lost their lives in Pahalgam, and the women who lost their 'sindoor'. PCB got Rs 1,000 crore.… pic.twitter.com/B0edbg9Mt2
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He further targeted the BCCI on Monday, stating the PCB received Rs 1,000 crore. “The match was fixed - out of Rs 1.5 lakh crore of gambling, Rs 50,000 crore went to Pakistan. Amit Shah’s son gave money to Pakistan. It’s their strategy to fund Pakistan to 'strengthen' terrorism so that they attack us and they get political benefit,” Raut claimed, without providing evidence.
Sanjay Raut said that the national interest has been harmed by this match and it was a matter of shame that it had happened. “The very fact that this match was held is a matter of shame,” he said, questioning whether this match would “bring back the sindoor of women” who lost their husbands. Raut praised former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar’s stance that he would oppose the match, but the Indian government itself gave permission to hold it. Raut said this makes it clear that the decision to play the match with Pakistan was taken by the government.
After Raut’s statement courted controversy, Congress took a cautious stance. Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "I don’t really understand what he meant by match-fixing. Match-fixing usually involves collusion on the outcome, often linked to betting and money matters. I cannot say whether he was aware of any specific facts. But from my perspective, this has become a major issue, and it is clear that Pakistan had a role in it," he added.
