India-Pakistan Series Not Possible Until Narendra Modi Is In Power: Shahid Afridi

Pakistan’s legendary former all-rounder Shahid Afridi, in an exclusive interview to Pakistan-based media said Pakistan, India series not possible until Modi is in power. Shahid blamed India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the current situation between India and Pakistan.

The all-rounder said that just one person is obstructing the relationships between India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since 2013 and the two Asian giants have met only at major ICC and ACC tournaments in the recent past. They last played a Test series in 2008.

Despite the tension in bilateral ties between India and Pakistan over the years, Indian players like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni have earned a lot of love from across the border.

I don’t understand what Modi wants: Shahid Afridi

Narendra Modi thinking is inclined towards negativity – Shahid Afridi

Teams like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh have toured the country in an attempt to revive cricket in Pakistan. Afridi seems delighted with this progress. He is hopeful that many other teams like England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand will also tour the country.

“Till Modi is in power, I don’t think we will get any response from India. We have all, including Indians, understood the way Modi thinks. His thinking is inclined towards negativity. Our relationships are getting damaged just because of one person,” Afridi said.

“People from either side of the border want to travel to each other’s country. I don’t understand what Modi wants to do and what his agenda really is,” he added.

Earlier, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar had said it’s high time India and Pakistan resume playing bilateral cricket, keeping aside the political differences between the 2 Asian neighbours.

Stressing that India-Pakistan bilateral cricket is good news for fans, the rivalry and monetary aspects, Akhtar said the two teams should at least consider playing each other in a neutral venue if visiting the other country remains an issue.

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The PCB has sought USD 70 million in a compensation claim against India for refusing to play a bilateral series, violating a 2014 memorandum of understanding under which the two were to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023.

However, the judgement came in India favour, as BCCI officials have mentioned about the permission of Indian Government to continue bilateral series.