Legendary Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi is often known to speak his mind about cricket and India- Pakistan politics. It was understandable that the former cricketer would say something about the ongoing war of words between the Indian and Pakistan cricket boards about the venue of Asia Cup 2023.
A few days ago, Indian Cricket Board secretary Jay Shah had openly refused to play in Pakistan and had asked for the venue to be moved to another country. What followed was a war of words between the officials and ex-cricketers of both countries. Afridi has now added his thoughts to the ongoing debate. Speaking to ABP News, he said that the comments from the Indian Cricket Board were childish.
“Yaha pe Indian Cricket Board ne thoda bachkana harqat ki hai. Thoda time le lete, koi baat nahi agar decision unhe yahi lena tha World Cup k baad le lete. India-Pakistan ka World Cup ka match, usse pahle is tarike ka bayan dena mere khayal se jaldbaazi thi. Hamesha hamare relation ko cricket ne accha banaya hai. Humne jis tarha India ko welcome kia 2003-04 mein phir hum jab India gaye toh jis tarha hame welcome ki gaya wo dono desho k relation ko mazboot karta hai. Jitni cricket hogi utni relationship behtar rahenge. (Indian Cricket Board gave a childish statement. They should have taken some time. There was a World Cup match coming up, before that, there was no need for such a statement. Cricket has always unified India and Pakistan, bringing the two nations closer. I remember how the Indian team was welcomed in Pakistan in 2003-04 and then when we went to India what a warm welcome we got. The more India and Pakistan play, the stronger their relations will be,) Afridi said on ABP News.
Pakistan could pull out of ACC if India don’t come to play in Asia Cup- Shahid Afridi
Afridi also threatened to move out of the Asian Cricket Council if Pakistan Board is not respected as a result of India’s preferences.
“Apex Cricket Body ka role ismein bohut zyada hai. Agar India nahi hai Asia Cup khelne jo ki nahi hona chaie, unhe ana chaie. But agar nahi ate toh Pakistan ke paas option hai ACC se bahar jane ka. Agar hamari batein nahi suni ja rahi toh hume alag rakh lena chaie ACC se. (Apex Cricket Body has a big role to play here. If India don’t come to play Asia Cup then Pakistan have the option of pulling out of ACC,” he added.
