“If India Is Taking Such A Strong Stance, They Have Made Themselves That Strong,” Says Shahid Afridi

The richest cricket body, so-called the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made a strong decision not to fly to Pakistan for the forthcoming edition of the Asia Cup which will be held in September.

Well, India and Pakistan haven’t played a bilateral series since 2011/12 due to the increasing or escalating tensions between both countries.

It is sad to know that political tensions are intervening in the sport, which is not good by any means. It’s been more than a decade since both nations played against each other in bilateral series.

However, both teams have been locking horns with each other in the ICC and Asia Cup events. With Pakistan being the host for the Asia Cup 2023, India are unwilling to travel to Pakistan to play in the Asia Cup tournament.

Talking about the recent meetings, India and Pakistan locked horns with each other thrice (twice in Asia Cup 2022 and once in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022).

Rohit Sharma and Co won the first meeting of the Asia Cup 2022 against Pakistan in the group stage. However, they surrendered at the hands of Babar Azam and Co in the Super 4 stage.

Also Read: Bangladesh vs India: 3 Things From an Indian Point of View to Look Forward to on Day 4 of the 1st Test

Shahid Afridi says India have made themselves strong

India locked horns with Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 tournament in Australia. The Men in Blue won the game by 4 wickets, in a last-ball thriller.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi opened up his views on the BCCI’s firm stance on Team India not travelling to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup.

The former Pakistan captain added that the international cricket body, ICC should do something by sorting out the problem in the first place.

“India agar aankhe dikha raha hain (If India is showing you their eyes) or taking such a strong stance, then they have made themselves that strong, hence they are being able to talk like this, otherwise they wouldn’t have the courage,” Shahid Afridi said during an interaction with Samaa TV.

“At the end it’s making yourself strong and then take decisions. Will India visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup? Will we boycott the ODI World Cup in India? We need to take a stand at some point or the other,” Shahid Afridi added further.

As things stand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India won’t get ‘clearance from the Indian government’ to go to Pakistan to play the game due to the diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Also Read: Shaheen Afridi Is Set to Return to Cricket This Month in the PSL