Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has reignited the talk over India–Pakistan cricket relations, casting doubts on the Board of Management for Cricket in India‘s (BCCI) dedication to the 2025 Champions Trophy. In a current media interplay, Afridi made a number of pointed remarks about India’s stance on cricket ties with Pakistan.
Shahid Afridi questions India’s sincerity
Afridi highlighted the historic context of Pakistan cricket’s relationship with India, emphasizing the sacrifices made by the Pakistani crew.
“We have now gone to India many occasions. We went there in robust occasions. Regardless of getting threats we continued to go on India excursions. We acquired to learn about their intentions. We have now at all times supported India,” he mentioned.
The all-rounder implied that Pakistan has persistently proven its willingness to play cricket with India, even in opposed circumstances. His assertion means that the onus lies on India to reciprocate the gesture and create an atmosphere conducive to cricket.
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Safety issues or lack of will?
Addressing the continuing deadlock over India touring Pakistan for Chapions Trophy, Afridi questioned the sincerity of the BCCI’s safety issues.
“Even after threats Pakistan Cricket Board and the federal government took an initiative. If India has the intention to return to Pakistan, they may come. In any other case, they may make an excuse of safety,” the veteran said.
Afridi’s feedback indicate that Pakistan has taken vital steps to make sure the security of the Indian cricket crew, and the ball is now in India’s court docket. He asserts that safety can be utilized as a pretext to keep away from enjoying in Pakistan.
Want for grassroots improvement
Shifting focus from the contentious difficulty of India-Pakistan cricket, Afridi additionally emphasised the significance of grassroots improvement in Pakistan cricket. He criticized the dearth of give attention to nurturing younger expertise.
“You want good academics for the scholars to be good. Our give attention to the grassroots degree just isn’t as a lot correctly. We don’t want Gary Kirsten for the Pakistan crew, we want guys like him to work on the grassroots. We want them on the Below-16 and Below-19 ranges in order that the mindset of these kids adjustments from there itself,” Afridi added additional.
Afridi’s observations align with the issues of many Pakistani cricket followers who imagine that the nation’s cricket infrastructure requires a considerable overhaul. His name for investing in younger expertise is seen as a step in the proper path for bettering the general normal of Pakistan cricket.
Afridi’s candid remarks have as soon as once more introduced the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry into the highlight. Whereas his feedback have been met with combined reactions, they’ve undoubtedly sparked a much-needed dialog about the way forward for cricket between the 2 nuclear-armed neighbours.
