“An Indian Threatened Pakistan Cricket Team But We Still Came”, Says Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi Statement: Not long ago, it was told that Pakistan acquired the hosting rights for the Asia Cup 2023, which is to be scheduled in September. However, Team India made their stance clear on not being willing to travel to Pakistan to play in the Asia Cup.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed that India will not travel to Pakistan in the first place. In fact, Pakistan also threatened to boycott the ICC ODI World Cup to be held in India later this year.

Nonetheless, in reality, that would incur huge losses for them. Team India expressed that they are not interested to travel to Pakistan to play in the Asia Cup 2023. It is all due to the owing to the hostile relationship between the two nations.

Both of the teams haven’t played a bilateral series since 2012. In fact, these two teams are meeting each other only in the ACC and ICC events.

Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan captain, reckons that Pakistan are ready to welcome the Indian team for Asia Cup. Shahid Afridi even urged the BCCI to keep aside political tensions and send their team.

For the record, the members of the Asian Cricket Council, the BCCI, and the Pakistan Cricket Board are expected to meet in Dubai to reach a form conclusion over the Asia Cup 2023 tournament with the apex cricket body, ICC set to hold a meeting as well.

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Pakistan are ready to welcome India for Asia Cup: Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi feels that Pakistan are ready to welcome the Indian team for the tournament.

As things stand, India are not going to Pakistan to feature in the tournament. As a result, chances are high that the tournament might be shifted out of Pakistan for sure.

Some feel that the United Arab Emirates is the right venue to host the Asia Cup tournament. Even in the last year, the Asia Cup was played in the Gulf nation.

While speaking to the media on the sidelines of the LLC, Shahid Afridi said, “Who is saying no to Asia Cup? India is saying no.”

“Aap Indian team ko bheje toh sahi, humlog sar aankhon par rakhenge. (You just send the Indian team to Pakistan and we will welcome them with great pleasure). Before this, an Indian from Mumbai, won’t take his name, had threatened Pakistan that they won’t be allowed in India,” Shahid Afridi said.

“But we kept all aside and our government had taken it up as a responsibility and the Pakistan team did go to India. So threats should not ruin our relationship. Threats will remain,” Shahid Afridi further added.

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