New Delhi: While we are all waiting for one of the most exciting contests of ICC World Cup 2019 on June 16, an advertisement has gone viral on the internet and it is the most sickeningly bad ad you will ever see, for a cricket match. 

Pakistani channel Jazz TV unveiled a video mocking the released video of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistani military after he was captured a day after the Balakot airstrike.

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The look-a-like repeats Abhinandan's viral statement "I'm sorry, I am not supposed to tell you this,” several times in the advertisement as he is asked questions related to India's playing 11 and the team's strategy if it wins the toss. The look-a-like can also be seen sipping a cup of tea, exactly like Abhinandan was seen in the video released by the Pakistani authorities. 

Over the years, we have seen some distasteful advertisements from Star Sports, as well. However, Jazz TV's attempt to 'build up' for the game by insulting India's armed forces is a new low for our beloved game. 

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Recently, India's wicketkeeper MS Dhoni was told to remove the 'Balidaan' badge from his wicketkeeping gloves by the International Cricket Council (ICC). This created a huge storm on social media as fans were divided. However, ICC's decision was accepted with utmost grace and responsibility by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Dhoni. 

It was the right decision because allowing individuals or teams to promote their armed forces on a cricket field, in any way, would hurt the game of cricket in the long run. 

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But, it also needs to be said the kind of advertisements we have seen in the last five years or so are also painting the game of cricket in a bad light. If there is a way then ICC must intervene through BCCI and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and issue some guidelines for the broadcasters, as well.

In the name of build-up and hype, broadcasters from both sides of the border have lowered the standards and, ironically, taken the limelight away from cricket to petty and cheap 'hashtag' fights. 

However, the latest ad by Jazz TV is the worst of the lot as it has insulted the armed forces of India and triggered absolutely unnecessary hatred among the fans from India and Pakistan before the clash, for non-cricketing reasons. If Dhoni's 'Balidaan' badge is wrong then this obnoxious ad which used the game of cricket to spread the vile agenda of Pakistan' army and it's political establishment by insulting Indian Air Force's wing commander, is doubly wrong. 

Any such attempt should be condemned in the strongest possible manner and the ICC must find a way to stop such malicious attempts to use cricket as a tool for spreading political agendas. Wing Commander Abhinandan is India's hero and his insult in the name of cheap humour should be criticised by every right thinking Indian.