Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has declined to attend Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan's oath-taking ceremony on August 18 as the prime minister, local media reported.
Gavaskar told India Today that he spoke to Imran Khan and wished him luck before the latter takes over as the prime minister of Pakistan.
The former Indian captain said that he would be unable to attend the ceremony due to to a test match in England on August 18, where he is due to be present.
"As a cricketer, Imran Khan has visited India a number of times. He has interacted with Indians. He understands India, so I have a lot of expectations from him as far as India's relations with Pakistan are concerned," Gavaskar told India Today.
Imran Khan has invited other Indian cricketers including Kapil Dev and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Sidhu also accepted Khan's invite.
Meanwhile, former cricketer and Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Sidhu formally got an invite for the swearing-in ceremony of PTI Chairman Imran Khan as Prime Minister.
Sidhu, who has more than three decade's association with Imran as a cricketer and commentator, said he got the invite in a personal capacity.
"Khan Saab even called me up inviting for the event on Friday. We chatted for a few minutes. I congratulated and conveyed my best wishes to him,” Sidhu told Times of India.
Video goes viral on social media, drawing anger from netizens and demand for harsh penalties
Political Financing Wing of ECP has asked PTI representatives to appear before electoral watchdog on April 30
Epicentre of the earthquake was New Malir Karachi
IT ministry notifies tech expert's appointment as convener of Digital Pakistan committee headed by state minister
Pakistani, Irani leaders highlight need to resolve Kashmir issue via peaceful means based on will of people
Petitioners raise objections on top court's six-member bench hearing military court's case