The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday alleged that gambling worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore took place on the India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match held the previous day, with as much as Rs 25,000 crore allegedly flowing into Pakistan, reported the PTI.
Speaking to reporters, the Rajya Sabha MP claimed the Pakistan Cricket Board received Rs 1,000 crore from the match.
“This money will be used against us,” Sanjay Raut stated, questioning whether the Indian government or the BCCI were aware of the implications, according to the PTI.
Sanjay Raut called the match a “farce” and further alleged that India’s refusal to engage in the customary post-match handshake with Pakistani players was not a spontaneous act, but a calculated decision approved by a senior member of the Indian support staff and sanctioned by the BCCI.
India won the match convincingly by seven wickets, but the aftermath was marred by political undertones and visible tensions. The match went ahead despite widespread calls for a boycott due to escalating geopolitical strains following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 and Operation Sindoor carried out by Indian forces across the border on 7 May.
Sanjay Raut claimed the decision to go ahead with the match, given the ongoing tensions, was ill-judged and could have far-reaching consequences.
People understood govt`s stand on India-Pak Asia Cup match: Ashish Shelar
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar on Monday said that the people of the country have completely understood the Central government`s decision to allow India to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, as it was an international tournament and not a tour of the two countries, as per the PTI.
The Indian cricket team registered a stunning victory against arch-rival Pakistan in the match held in Dubai on Sunday, even as opposition parties called for a boycott and criticised the BJP-led Union government for allowing the contest.
Speaking to reporters at Nagpur airport, Ashish Shelar criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, whose party organised protests against the match in different parts of the country, saying his stand was illogical.
“I think that the people of India completely understood the Central government`s decision. This was not an India-Pakistan tour. The Indian government won`t propose such a bilateral tournament, nor accept a proposal for the same. Sunday`s match was a part of an international tournament, and the people of India did not object to the country`s participation,” he said, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
