`I am Indian first, then a cricketer’

Says the ex-manager of Indian team to Pakistan

"India stand to lose by boycotting Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup", feels former captain Sunil Gavaskar, while some of the other cricketers want India to boycott playing Pakistan in any level, leave alone the 2019 World Cup, after the terror attack in against the country which Pulwama last week killed is responsible,” said Borde more than 40 CRPF personnel. while talking to Free Press India are scheduled to Journal on Thursday. play Pakistan on June 16 “Yes, I am an India first during the World Cup. and then a cricketer, and I Former Indian captain would go with the emotions and the chairman of the of our countrymen,” BCCI selection committee, said Borde when asked for Chandu Borde joins the his reply as a cricketer. He gang and wants India not was also the manager of to play Pakistan in any level, the Indian team which visited as the present situation Pakistan in the year demands. 1989-90 when Sachin Tendulkar “I am a cricketer no made his debut.

doubt, but at this time my “We should not play Pakistan country comes first for me and I will go by the and looking want happened sentiments of the people to our CRPF personnels, and leave it to the government I would support the and the people governing move not to play the game the game to take a call on banning Pakistan from 2019 World Cup,” said the former chairman of the selection committee.

However, he did agree that the face-off between these two sides is what the entire world (cricket) would always look forward, unfortunately these terror attacks especially in India has left a bad taste on our neighbours. “Yes undoubtedly that is the match everyone including me look forward, but what is happening in the terror front is bad,” said Borde, while saying that it for the government to take a stand.