Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has issued a statement requesting India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restore the cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. He said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should act more responsibly as they are a big board and should aim at normalising the relationship between the two cricketing giants.
“I will request Modi sahab to let cricket happen between both countries,” Afridi was quoted as saying in an Indian Express report on the sidelines of the Legends League Cricket tournament.
While addressing the media, Afridi had also talked about the Asia Cup 2023 saga where he said that it is India who are saying no to the tournament even without giving them a chance to host them. He recalled India's tour of Pakistan in the past and said that the Indian players were treated with love and respect.
The 46-year-old also made a big claim saying that an Indian had actually threatened Pakistan but despite that the team had toured India.
"An Indian from Mumbai, won't take his name, had threatened Pakistan that they won't be allowed in India. But we kept all aside and our government had taken it up as a responsibility and the Pakistan team did go to India. So threats should not ruin our relationship. Threats will remain," he stated.
Talking about the Legends League Cricket, Afridi emerged as the winning captain as Asia Lions beat the World Giants by 7 wickets in the final. While World Giants were restricted to 147-4 with the help of Jacques Kallis' 78 off 54, Lions reached their target in just 16.1 overs. Openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan scored half-centuries which set the foundation for a comfortable chase.
However, it was Abdur Razzak who was adjudged the Player of the Match, conceding only 14 runs in his 4 overs and scalping a couple of wickets.