Former Pakistan captain, Shahid Afridi, has spoken out in support ofbilateral cricket between Pakistan and India, which has been halted forover a decade due to political tensions between the neighbors.
While speaking to the media, Afridi stated that bilateral cricket hasalways improved relations between the arch-rivals and that people in Indiawant to see the Pakistani team play in their country.
In response to the Indian Cricket Board’s refusal to send its team toPakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, the former all-rounder said, “It’s not asif we don’t have hosting rights and we’re pleading to host it.”
Shahid Afridi went on to say that the International Cricket Council (ICC)has granted Pakistan the right to host the tournament and that if it ismoved to a neutral venue, Pakistan will be the first team to pull out.
The PCB-BCCI relationship deteriorated further after BBCI Secretary, JayShah, refused to send the Men in Blue to Pakistan for the upcoming 50-overAsia Cup 2023, which is scheduled for September next year in Pakistan.
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Last month, Jay Shah told the media, “Neutral venue for Asia Cup is notunprecedented and we have decided that we will not travel to Pakistan. Ihave decided that we will play at a neutral venue.”
In response to Jay Shah’s remarks, the Pakistan Cricket Board stated thatif the BCCI does not send a team to the Asia Cup in 2023, Pakistan willreciprocate and boycott the 50-over World Cup in India.
