'World Cup not bigger than country,' Mohammad Azharuddin says India should not play against Pakistan

After Harbhajan Singh, former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has said that India should not play Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup. 

The multi-nation event is scheduled to begin on May 30 in England. 

Following the deadly terror attack in Pulwama, where 40 CRPF jawans were killed, veteran off-spinner Harbhajan said there should not be any worry if India decided to forfeit the match against Pakistan in Manchester on June 16, as they have a strong unit to win rest of their matches.

Agreeing with Harbhajan, former Indian skipper Azhar said, "If we are not playing Pakistan in bilateral series, we should not play them anywhere. I agree with Harbhajan, the World Cup cannot be bigger than the country."

In the wake of the Kargil War, Azharuddin had lead India to a win over Pakistan during the 1999 World Cup.

"There was tension...there was the war on. We were scared the spectators would start fighting. When we won, the soldiers celebrated. If you play Pakistan, play everywhere. Otherwise, don't play them anywhere. ICC and BCCI should resolve this quickly," he was quoted in a national daily.

Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for the attack in Pulwama on February 14.