Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi made a striking comment by suggesting that if the Pakistan national cricket team were to win the upcoming ODI World Cup in India, it would serve as a strong rebuke to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been engaged in a dispute regarding the hosting rights of the Asia Cup 2023, as BCCI Secretary Jay Shah categorically declined to send Team India to Pakistan.
The PCB responded by asserting that they would decline to visit India for the World Cup unless the Indian team toured Pakistan for the Asia Cup. Nonetheless, former cricketer Afridi emphasized the importance of astute decision-making by the management, suggesting that the team should be permitted to tour India. He went on to express that winning the tournament on Indian soil would be a powerful statement and a significant blow to the BCCI.
Shahid Afridi on the World Cup in India
“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 on the face of BCCI,” Afridi said.
He additionally emphasized that the PCB is limited in terms of available choices and should adopt a positive approach towards visiting the neighboring country for the ODI World Cup. Furthermore, he expressed that securing the championship would effectively convey a strong message to the arch-rivals.
“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,” he added.
