Former skipper of Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi claimed that the Pakistan team used to receive security threats from India, but that never became a reason not to visit the country. He stated so when he was asked about India and Pakistan not visiting each other for cricketing reasons, and the Asia Cup tournament this year is going to be hosted by Pakistan, Hindustan Times reports.
On Thursday, the Board of Control of Cricket in India demanded a hybrid model in organising the Asia Cup, with India's matches must be placed in neutral venues while Pakistan could host the rest of the matches. If India and Pakistan qualify for the final, the final match should also be staged at a neutral venue, BCCI had demanded.
Afridi said that international teams had visited Pakistan, and players were enjoying matches there. Whenever the boards and governments are on the same page, the tour is on, but if they are at loggerheads, "we are giving more leverage to those who want to spread hate and those who don't want cricket to take place between the two countries," HT quoted Afridi's bite to Sports Yari.
He said that he had repeated his arguments many times. He enjoyed playing in the two nations of Australia and India. He received unexpected love from India, and therefore Pak team wants to play in India "they want to see us play," Afridi said.
He explained how there are Indians there in Pakistan, who meet the Pak team, take autographs etc. He opined that cricket is the best diplomacy and Pakistan and India should have good relations and grow their strength.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Bahrain in March has met no resolution, and members have converged for two more rounds of discussions in Dubai. BCCI was represented by Arun Dhumal, who heads the IPL governing council, and Jay Shah, BCCI secretary.