Shahid Afridi bats for cricket to break the ice between India-Pakistan

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has stated that politics shouldn’t come in the way of sporting ties between India and Pakistan. Further, he feels cricket can work as ‘tool to improve’ relationship between two neighboring countries.

Meanwhile, India and Pakistan last played a bilateral cricket series way back in January 2013. Also, India has not toured Pakistan since their Asia Cup campaign in 2008.

Although, India and Pakistan have played against each other in Internation Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments. Such clashes have gained a lot of attention thus enhancing more of such ties.

Sports can improve relations:

Afridi is of the opinion that sports and politics cannot go hand in hand. Rather, sports can help to improve the tensions prevailing in the borders.

“I believe politics should be kept away from sports. It should rather be used as a tool to improve relations between the countries. Sport is something which can play a big role in bringing peace,” Afridi told Wisden India.

 

“It was nice to meet and play with players from India after a long time. That was something very positive about the tournament and I think it should continue. Both countries should also be playing international cricket against each other,” Afridi added.

Meanwhile, Afridi played alongside Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Kaif, Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar among others at the inaugural St Moritz Ice Cricket tournament on February 8 and 9 in Switzerland.

Shahid Afridi won hearts when asked an Indian fan to hold the flag properly while posing for a photograph.

Government of India’s latest stand:

BCCI and PCB presidents Shashank Manohar and Shahryar Khan tried to talk about renewing bilateral ties in 2015. However, activists from the right-wing Shiv Sena ensured the meeting did not take place by storming into the BCCI office and creating a ruckus.

Meanwhile, PCB demanded $70 million for BCCI for not honoring the Memorandum o Understanding (MoU) signed in 2014.

Moreover, India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj ruled out any cricket between the neighboring countries earlier this year.

Notably, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) needs Government of India’s permission to host a bilateral series.

However, India can lose out on hosting Asia Cup later this year.

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