Legendary Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has urged the Indian Cricket Board to allow Team India to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, as it would help to improve the two countries bilateral relationship. With the marquee tournament set to be held across the border, Indian Cricket Board secretary Jay Shah previously hinted that India would travel to Pakistan, thereby stating that the Asia Cup be held at a neutral venue.
Afridi has stated that the Indian Cricket Board, despite its size, should take more responsibility and work to normalise relations between the two cricketing nations. He said that he will request the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi to “let cricket happen”.
“I will request Modi sahab to let cricket happen between both countries,” Afridi said on the sidelines of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) in Doha.
“What can we do if we want to befriend someone and he does not talk to us? There is no doubt that the BCCI is a very strong board, but when you are strong, you have more responsibility. You don’t try to make more enemies, you need to make friends. When you make more friends, you become stronger,” Afridi said.
When asked if he believes the PCB (the Pakistan Cricket Board) is weak, Afridi said, “I would not say weak, but some answers came from the front (BCCI) as well”.
I still have friends in the Indian team: Shahid Afridi
Cricket, according to Afridi, is the best diplomacy, and both teams should help each other. He maintains friendly relationships with the Indian players. “I still have friends in the Indian team when we meet, we discuss, the other day I met Raina and I asked for a bat, he gave me a bat,” he said.
Afridi insisted on ‘spreading the love’ throughout the conversation. He recalled that when Indian cricketers went out during the 2005 series, no one took money from them. According to the legendary big-hitting allrounder, Pakistan has no security concerns because many international teams have safely toured in recent years.
Here is how fans reacted
Hum pagal ha na joo aoni army personnel ko akk baar marna or dusri taraf cricket ????
— joshi talks (@TalksJoshi) March 20, 2023
Hahaha ye wahi he na jo modi ke liye zehar ugal raha tha?
— ßæñæyæ?? (@im_sanaya_) March 20, 2023
Many prime ministers wanted peace with India, but when the power lies somewhere else what can they do?
— Ashish Kumar (@gyaancenter) March 21, 2023
We the people of India don't want any relation with Pakistan. Period
— Amit (@Dragu_xi) March 20, 2023
Never forget, Never Forgive pic.twitter.com/U8Xdg2PIdt
— AngryMan (@HonesttCricFan) March 20, 2023
To bhai what about this ? Plz tell @_FaridKhan . Tum log hi politics ko bich me late ho. pic.twitter.com/NgydcHWFk7
— Nikhil Prajapati (@Niksprajapati99) March 20, 2023
Life of every prime minister of Pakistan pic.twitter.com/PCRuZa51gn
— Mischief Managed ? (@0rderofPhoenix) March 20, 2023
We have SENA countries for better entertaining serieses as well so if we don’t play against Pak, there should not be much of an worry but Pakistan is dying to rope India in for any kind of series for some financial benefits.
— shamba mazumder (@itsshambo) March 20, 2023
Never seen any indian ex player keen to play with Pakistan neither they comment.
— Ankit Singh (@ankittfit) March 20, 2023
Hame nhi dekhna hai IND v Pakistan cricket ab
— Himanshu?? (@HIMANSHU_333333) March 20, 2023
