Sachin wants two points, I want World Cup: Sourav Ganguly on Indo-Pak cricket tension

"He wants two points against Pakistan, I want the world cup," Ganguly said with a smile on his face.

While several former Indian cricketers favoured boycotting Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack, which left over 40 Indian paramilitary personnel killed, Tendulkar said: "Would personally hate to give them (Pakistan) two points and help them in the tournament."

However, he said he will always accept whatever decision the nation takes on the issue.

If India doesn't play Pakistan in the group stage, India will lose two points.

Tendulkar's view on the matter is also echoed in the voice of other legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who told a news channel, "Not playing bilateral series hurts Pakistan. But not playing them in the world cup will cost India as they will lose two points." 

Backing his earlier version of boycotting Pakistan on field, Ganguly on Saturday said: " Whatever I had to say, I have said. I stick to that so really don't have anything more to add."

Reacting to Ganguly's comment, former Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad said he thinks the former Indian skipper wants to run for elections or become the Chief Minister.

"I have no reaction to Javed Miandad. I watched him bat and I think he was a fantastic player so lets keep it at that," Ganguly, whose 'Team India' had defeated coach Miandad's Pakistan at their backyard way back in 2004, said.

In a letter, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) urged the cricketing community to sever ties with countries from which 'terrorism emanates'. 

Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, whose team will play against Australia on Sunday, said: "We stand by what the nation wants to do and what the BCCI decides to do."

Supporting Kohli's words, Ganguly said: "That's the only way forward. He does not control all these things. He can only control India's performance..."

"I don't think he should worry about it. It has always been the case that the Indian team follows what the BCCI and the government take the decision. There is no change to it and I am sure the cricketers will stick to that," he added.

Image credit: IBNS