‘Tell your boys to get the trophy’ – Shahid Afridi advices Pakistan to play World Cup in India amidst Asia Cup 2023 controversy
Shahid Afridi-India vs Pakistan (Source: Twitter)
The Indian Cricket Board has made it clear that they will not travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is adamant about retaining the hosting rights for the tournament and has proposed a “hybrid venue” format, where India would play their matches at a neutral location.
Shahid Afridi, former Pakistan captain, has urged the PCB to allow the team to travel to India for the World Cup 2023, stating that it would be a significant blow to the Indian Cricket Board if Pakistan returned with the trophy. Reports indicate that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has decided to move the Asia Cup out of Pakistan due to other member nations rejecting the “Hybrid Venue” plan.
In response, the PCB has threatened to boycott the ODI World Cup if the Asia Cup is moved outside their country. Despite the deadlock, Shahid Afridi has encouraged the cricket governing body to permit the Pakistani team to travel to India, arguing that winning the tournament in the host country would be a powerful statement.
We are supposed to go there, land back with the World Cup: Shahid Afridi
According to Samaa TV, Afridi said, “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.”
“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 further added.
Notably, due to political tensions, India has refrained from visiting Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup. The two archrivals have not engaged in a Test match since 2007, and the last time Pakistan toured India for a bilateral series was in 2012.
