Shahid Afridi Makes an Offensive Remark Ahead of ODI World Cup in India- Details Here
Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi made a striking comment, suggesting that a victory for his national team in the upcoming ODI World Cup in India would serve as a strong response to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Notably, the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been engaged in a dispute over the hosting rights for the Asia Cup 2023. While PCB is adamant about conducting the upcoming Asia Cup, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has repeatedly rejected the idea of sending the Indian team to Pakistan for the tournament.
India refuses to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and BCCI haven’t come to a consensus regarding the venues for the Asia Cup and World Cup. PCB chief Najam Sethi has threatened on multiple occasions of Pakistan’s non-participation in the 2023 World Cup if India refuses to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
Afridi, who has played multiple World Cup editions, has encouraged Pakistan to play in India and bring the trophy home to show the BCCI their place.
“I don’t understand why they [PCB] are so adamant and keep saying that we won’t go to India. They need to simplify the situation and understand that an international cricket tournament is happening – take it rather positively; go and play. Tell your boys to get the trophy; the whole nation stands behind you. It’ll not only be a big win for us but a tight slap in the face of BCCI,” the 46-year-old said, as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
Shahid Afridi says they have no option but to agree to play:
Afridi believes the only way to send a stern message to their arch-rivals is to bring the crown home, and he added:
“Go to India, play decent cricket and claim the win. This is it; we have only this option resorted to ourselves. We are supposed to go there, land back with the World Cup and give them a steer clear message that we can go anywhere and bag the victory.”
According to the tentative schedule, the tournament will commence on October 5th, while the final will take place on November 19th. India and Pakistan are likely to play on October 15th at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Men in Green haven’t won the 50-over World Cup since 1992.
It is noteworthy that India have not travelled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to tense political relations between the two countries and security reasons. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s last visit to India was in the 2016 T20 World Cup under Afridi’s captaincy.