Pakistan, India series not possible until Modi is in power: Shahid Afridi

Pakistan’s legendary former all-rounder Shahid Afridi, in an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, blamed the India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the declining relationship between India and Pakistan.

The 45-year-old claimed that a bilateral series with India would not be possible until Modi is in power.

“I think we will not get a response from India until Modi is in power. We have all understood his mindset now. His mindset can only take you towards negativity. That one man can ruin the relationship of the two countries which the people on both sides are against,” said Afridi.

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Afridi praised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for bringing the entire Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) 5 to Pakistan.

“The HBL PSL 5 coming to Pakistan is very big for me. We could see when Sri Lanka, Bangladesh came and the World XI came that cricket would return to Pakistan. We were very hopeful for its return. I would like to give the PCB and the management the credit of organizing the entire HBL PSL in Pakistan. This is a very big achievement. This will send a positive message to everyone about how much love the fans here have for cricket and have been missing it,” he said.

People have a lot of expectations from me and I will keep trying in the ongoing season of HBL PSL. The Multan Sultans franchise and the owners are expecting a lot from me as well. So I will try my best. I know that I work hard and try to keep myself fit.

“People are not rating Multan Sultans as one of the best teams in the tournament. In T20 cricket your combination is the most important factor. The first two matches of the tournament are always very important. I think that our bowling and batting departments are very good. I have some doubts about our fielding though. Fielding plays an important role in all formats in cricket today. I think we will have to step up in the fielding department,” he said. “If Multan Sultans does not reach the final than I will support the Quetta Gladiators team to win the tournament. I have always had a soft spot for Quetta. I would request the crowds to come to support the teams and make the PSL a big success.” 

Afridi claimed that the HBL PSL should continue adding more franchises while urging the PCB to take strict measures against corruption in order to curb the menace of spot-fixing.

“We should keep adding more franchises into the league. We should add a franchise after every two or three years. Cricket coming to Pakistan is great for sponsors. I think they were waiting for this moment as well. FATA has a very big area and they should have a team as well. Punjab should have another team. Sindh should have another team. All these teams should come in with time,” he said. “Until you set an example things such as spot-fixing scandals will continue to happen. You have to set an example when someone does something like that.”