Mirpur, Mar 7: Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Thursday called for the revival of cricketing ties between India and his country, saying the game can bring improvement in the relations between the two countries. “The way I enjoyed my cricket in India, I never enjoyed anywhere else. We are after all neighbours. The relations should be good between us. Cricket can only help better the relations,” he said here.
Asked whether India and Pakistan should play more often, he said, “It should be like that only. Pakistan have always supported India at every step. Despite threats, Pakistan have always toured India. I think cricket can only revive India-Pakistan relation. Sport brings friendship.”
Afridi had hit two sixes in the last over to seal a thrilling one-wicket win for Pakistan against India in yet another thrilling match between the two arch rivals in the Asia Cup on March 1 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Asked about Pakistan players’ prospect of playing in the cash-rich Indian Premier League, Afridi said, “Ask your Indian government, why ask me.”
Afridi was all praise for Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the team’s recent successes.
“No doubt, the way Dhoni carries his team forward is commendable… I always praise Dhoni’s captaincy. Credit goes to Dhoni for having the right combination in the side,” he said.
“But I think if a player clicks on a given day, it’s his day. India-Pakistan matches have always been close ones.
Nobody had a clue who’s winning the match. People also enjoy these sort of matches.”
He said he always liked to play pressure-free while batting.
“If I think about the shots, then I won’t be able to perform. I just back my instincts.”
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