IND vs PAK: ‘Cricketers Are Also Ambassadors’ - Shahid Afridi Opposes Gautam Gambhir’s Views

Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has opposed Gautam Gambhir’s views on expressing only aggression on the field. Shahid Afridi said it is better to send a message of love and respect to everyone.

Recently during the IND vs PAK encounter of Asia Cup 2023, Indian and Pakistan players were seen having a fun time together before and after the match. In reaction to those gestures, Gautam Gambhir said that Indian players should keep their friendship outside the boundary ropes.

Also Read: Just to refresh his memory..: Shahid Afridi Hits Back At Jay Shah After Latter’s Remarks On Security Situation In Pakistan

Cricketers Are Also Ambassadors- Shahid Afridi

When former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi was asked about his opinion on Gautam Gambhir’s views, he opposed it and said that it is better to send a message of love and respect to fans across the globe. According to Afridi, cricketers are also ambassadors.

“That is his thought. I think differently. We are cricketers and ambassadors as well, we all have fans across the globe. So it is better to send out a message of love and respect. Yes there is aggression on the field, but there is life off the field as well,” Shahid Afridi was quoted as saying by a Pakistan media.

Have a look at the video below.

Shahid Afridi responded to Gautam Gambhir's statement.#PAKvIND | #Cricket | #Pakistan | #ShahidAfridi | #GautamGambhir | #AsiaCup2023 | #Karachi | #India pic.twitter.com/Dqb2UHfbyW

— Khel Shel (@khelshel) September 5, 2023

Earlier, videos of Virat Kohli having a friendly meeting with Haris Rauf went viral on social media. As the 2nd innings of the IND vs PAK match was affected by rain, players of both teams were also seen sharing friendly gestures and talks with each other during the match.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2023: “Woh Different Kisam Ka Character Hain” – Shahid Afridi On Gautam Gambhir

Leave Friendship Outside The Boundary Rope- Gautam Gambhir

Earlier, Gautam Gambhir said that when players play for the national team, they should leave the friendship outside the boundary rope. He also added that there should be aggression in the eyes of both sets of players.

“When you play on the field for your national team, you must leave the friendship outside the boundary ropes. Game face hona zaroori hai. Dosti bahaar rehni chahiye. There has to be an aggression in the eyes of both sets of players,” Gautam Gambhir had said on Star Sports.

Also Read: “Mujhe Cricketer Nhi Hona Chahiye Tha” – Gautam Gambhir Reveals His Life’s Biggest Regret

Gambhir also pointed out that in the current era, rival players are seen commending each other during the match, something which was not seen a few years ago.

“You can be as friendly as you want after those six or seven hours of cricket. Those hours are very important because you’re not just representing yourself, you’re representing a nation of over a billion.

These days you see players of rival teams patting each other on the back and exchanging fist bumps during a match. You would never see that a few years ago,” Gambhir had said.

Meanwhile, the India vs Pakistan match of Asia Cup 2023 was washed out due to rain and ended with no result. Now, both the teams will clash once against in the Super Four round of the tournament on September 10.