In yet another swipe at India, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has launched a scathing attack at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shahid Afridi was commenting about his former teammate Shoaib Akhtar’s recent proposal for an ODI series between India and Pakistan to raise funds for both countries for the fight against coronavirus pandemic.
Akhtar said that a closed-door series could be played to jointly raise funds to fight the deadly virus both in India and Pakistan. However, his proposal has invited criticism with the likes of Kapil Dev and Rajeev Shukla laughing it off. But unlike Kapil Dev and Shukla, Shahid Afridi backed Akhtar’s plans.
Shahid Afridi said that Pakistan want to play against India but its chances are very bleak because of Modi government. As far as the Indian government is concerned, it has made it clear that it would not resume bilateral ties with Pakistan until and unless they stop cross-border terrorism.
“We want to play against India, but it’s difficult in this situation because of the Modi Government as there is negativity coming from them. Pakistan has always been positive but India also has to take a positive step towards us,” Shahid Afridi was quoted as saying by Pakistan journalist Saj Sadiq on Twitter.
“Relations with India should be better as cricket has always brought Pakistan & India closer. I agree with Shoaib Akhtar, we should have matches but it’ll be a big challenge to organise as we dont know where they’d be held or if India want to play,” he added.
Well, Shahid Afridi is fast making a name for himself in spreading negativity about India. While he is criticising Narendra Modi once again, he must be well aware of the fact that India suspended their bilateral ties with India well before Mr Modi formed the government in 2014.
The arch-rivals have not played a full bilateral Test series since 2007 when Pakistan visited India for three Tests and five One-Day Internationals. They played a short series of three ODIs and two T20s in India in December 2012, but otherwise, both have faced each other only in the ICC organised events or the Asia Cup.