Published: Sep 21, 2015, 04:09 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 21, 2015, 04:09 PM (IST)
Shahid Afridi’s impact and aura is not something that can be challenged. Having played cricket for 17 years and still going strong, the 35-year-old (or is it 17?) Pakistan all-rounder is one of most iconic figures in Pakistan. He is one of the few current Pakistan cricketers to have been part of some memorable battles with India. Things have changed though; Afridi has retired from two formats of the game (for now). He is still leading the team in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He has always been vocal about his thoughts, and similar to his style of play expresses himself without a care the world. Read: Shahid Afridi urges PCB to stop pushing for cricket series with India
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series in the last two years. Pakistan won the One-Day International (ODI) series in India 2-1 in early 2013 but there has been no cricket series whatsoever between the two sides since then. Political tensions between the two nations have been the hindering factor in resumption of cricketing ties. India and Pakistan have signed a MoU for playing six series against each other in the cycle between 2015 and 2023, but by the looks of it even a single series happening looks unlikely.
Pakistan have been pushing for a series with India. The series that was slated to happen in United Arab Emirates (UAE) is still hanging on by a thin thread, and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are keen on getting the series on track by constantly being in touch with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Read: Shahid Afridi: Revival of cricket in Pakistan crucial
However, Afridi does not want PCB to act desperate. Like his game, he is open about playing India, “I don’t know why we are pushing for series against India again and again. I don’t see any reason to play (against India) if they don’t want to play. We have invited them and if they do not want to play then it shouldn’t be any worry, we are still happy,” Afridi was quoted as saying by Associated Press.
The quote contradicts how Misbah-ul-Haq sees things. Misbah is a calm person by nature and one might call him a diplomat. One might say he was intent on reviving India-Pakistan cricket. He expressed his desire to lead Pakistan against India in Tests. That is how he goes about his game, but one tends to side with Afridi here. Pakistan launched their very own domestic Twenty20 league, the long-awaited Pakistan Super League (PSL) with many international players like Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Brad Hodge, Dwayne Bravo expressing interest in it. Though the tournament will be played in UAE and Sharjah, it gives Pakistan a huge boost and it will not be wrong if PCB stop being so desperate and stop running behind BCCI for a series. Read: Misbah-ul-Haq wants revival of India-Pakistan cricket
(Nikhil Popat is a diehard cricket enthusiast and a PotterHead till the end of time. He can be followed on Twitter @CricCrazyNIKS)
