Letting Indians' sentiments down, Sachin Tendulkar wants India to play Pakistan at World Cup 2019

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on Friday said he would "hate" to see India concede two points to Pakistan by not playing them in the upcoming World Cup as such a move would only help the arch-rivals in the mega-event.

Tendulkar endorsed Sunil Gavaskar's view that India would be better off beating Pakistan in the World Cup than forfeiting the June 16 tie in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel.

"India has always come up trumps against Pakistan in the World Cup. Time to beat them once again. Would personally hate to give them two points and help them in the tournament," said Tendulkar in a statement to PTI. 

"Having said that, for me India always comes first, so whatever my country decides, I will back that decision with all my heart," the legendary batsman added.

READ: Sunil Gavaskar Suggests India Will Lose By Boycotting Pakistan At World Cup 2019; Demands Imran Khan To Prove There Is 'Naya Pakistan'

While the likes of Harbhajan Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal have called for complete cricketing boycott of Pakistan, Gavaskar on Thursday said India will be the loser if they decide to not play against Pakistan on June 16.

"Who wins if India decide against playing Pakistan in the World Cup? And I am not even talking about the semis and the finals. Who wins? Pakistan win because they get two points," Gavaskar had told 'India Today'.

"India have so far beaten Pakistan every time in a World Cup, so we are actually conceding two points when by beating Pakistan, we could make sure that they don't advance in the competition," he had said.

READ: BIG: Government Says 'No Cricket With Pakistan' But BCCI Tries To Buy Time, Says 'World Cup Is Still Far Away'. Details Here

The World Cup begins in the United Kingdom on May 30.

On Friday, the Committee of Administrators running Indian cricket decided against taking any position on the matter for now.

"16th June (World Cup fixture between India-Pakistan) is very far away. We will take a call on that later and in consultation with Government. Whatever decision we will take will be after discussion with the government.....We haven't had any conversation with the players either," CoA members Vinod Rai and Diana Edulji said after the CoA meeting.