Shahid Afridi praises India, BCCI for the love Pakistan received during tournament

Pakistan lost the game to Australia at Mohali and with it their hopes of making it to the semi-finals are virtually over. Pakistan failed to chase down the set target of 194 in their 20 overs as Australia won the game by 21 runs. After the game, Shahid Afridi’s interview in the post-match presentation attracted massive attention. BCCI criticises Shahid Afridi for his comment over Kashmir

In a conversation with Michael Slater during the post-match presentation, Afridi commented on his international retirement as he said, “When I go back home, in next four to five days I will take a decision and whatever is better for the country I will go with that. But let’s see how things are going on, I will see myself as well, my form, how I am doing, so I think I’ll announce this in my country.”

Afridi spoke further about his fitness and the pressure he faces as a skipper and a player on the team. He thanked everyone for their contribution and support.

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In the end, Afridi thanked fans and followers for their support and said, “In the end, I just want to thank the people of Kolkata, they really gave us more support and especially the people who came all the way to support us from Pakistan, Kashmir as well, so thank you so much. And I think I want to thank BCCI as well, they were really great in hospitality, I want to thank them as well.”

Later, in a casual conversation with Harsha Bhogle, Brett Lee and Wasim Akram, Afridi spoke about his dream coming true when he played with Akram. He also said how supportive Akram has been to him, on and off the field.

Afridi focused on a very important aspect and said cricket in Pakistan is languishing because cricket at the grass root level has been diminishing. School cricket is not getting enough attention in Pakistan and Afridi said that he has raised the issue to the concerned authorities.

Afridi also praised the move by Pakistan Cricket Board where veterans like Younis Khan and Misbah ul Haq are back into the board.

When Bhogle asked the Pakistani skipper about who can be the next Afridi or next Akram or even next Saeed Anwar from the current crop, he said, “It’s a difficult question to answer because the one who became Wasim Akram is only one; God only gives such names to few cricketers. But Mohammad Amir certainly has the ingredients to reach close to Akram.

Eventually, Bhogle quips saying, in the end you did receive a lot of love from India and hinted towards Afridi’s previous comment which created a stir in the fraternity. To which Afridi cannily replied saying, “That comment was for educated people.”

As of now, all eyes are set on Afridi as he is thinking about his retirement from T20 cricket and will probably conclude a result in next four to five days.