India, May 5 -- Let's get one thing out of the way. A legend of Sunil Gavaskar's stature does not need validation. He has played enough cricket, followed the game even longer, for his stance on topics to be respected the world over. Yes, his opinion could be polarising. Not many may agree, but he is never disrespected like a few former Pakistan cricketers have just done. From Javed Miandad, his long-time pal off the field, to Basit Ali, Gavaskar's take that Pakistan could be banned from participating in the Asia Cup, has received widespread criticism from across the border, with Miandad refusing to believe his ears.

The former Pakistan captain has expressed surprise that Gavaskar, of all people, would mix cricket with politics. Gavaskar'...