‘We need to take a stand’ – Shahid Afridi responds to Ravichandran Ashwin’s ‘If you want us to participate’ remark
Ravichandran Ashwin, Shahid Afridi (Image Credit: Twitter)
In the last few months, the India and Pakistan Cricket Boards are having a disagreement over the Asia Cup 2023 venue. While Pakistan is adamant to play the tournament in Pakistan, India wants it to be shifted to a neutral venue. While the boards have had their disagreements, India off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin has jumped into the matter.
The two-time World Championship has the same stance as the Indian Cricket Board. He said that his team won’t play in the tournament if it’s played in Pakistan. He pointed out that this particular scenario has happened before too. Ashwin further added that it’s not possible for Pakistan to boycott the ODI World Cup 2023 to be played in India.
“Asia Cup was supposed to take place in Pakistan. But India has announced that if it takes place in Pakistan, then we won’t be participating. If you want us to participate do change the venue. But we would have seen this happen many times. When we say that we won’t go to their place, they will say that they will also not come to our place. Similarly, Pakistan has said that they will also not come to the World Cup. But however, I think it is not possible,” said Ashwin in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
If India is taking a strong stance, they have made themselves strong: Shahid Afridi
Reacting to Ashwin’s statement, Afridi started by saying that if the board is unable to stand on its feet, the decision-making won’t be easy. The latter added that the Indian board has made itself strong. According to the 2009 20-20 World Cup winner, this is the reason India is struck on its ‘not traveling to Pakistan’ stance.
“If anyone is unable to stand on his own feet and then the decision to make such strong calls is not easy. They have to look at plenty of things. India agar aankhe dikha raha hain (If India is showing you their eyes), or taking such strong stance, then they have made themselves that strong, hence they are being able to talk like this, otherwise they wouldn’t have the courage. At the end it’s making yourself strong and then take decisions.
“I have no idea, will India visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup? Will we boycott the ODI World Cup in India? But we need to take a stand at some point or the other.
“In this case Apex Council’s role becomes crucial, they should come forward, but let me say it even council won’t be able to do anything in front of the Indian board,” he said during an interaction with Samaa TV.
