"Dhamkiya bhi milti rahi, fir bhi hum India ke tour karte rahe" - Shahid Afridi takes a dig at BCCI amid 2025 Champions Trophy debate
Shahid Afridi has lashed out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their reluctance to tour Pakistan for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy. The Indian board is reportedly not keen on visiting their neighboring country and instead wants a hybrid model for the ICC event.
Expressing his disappointment over India's stance, Afridi stated that Pakistan continued to tour India even after receiving threats. He also suggested that India will come for the 2025 Champions Trophy if they want to support Pakistan, otherwise, they will cite security concerns for their refusal.
Speaking at a media interaction, Shahid Afridi remarked:
"Hum itni baar india gaye hai. Mushkil halat mein gaye. Humein dhamkiya bhi milti rahi, fir bhi hum india ke tour karte rahe. Aapki niyat se pata chal gya. Humne india ko support kiya hai (We have gone to India many times. We went there in tough times. Despite getting threats we continued to go on India tours. We got to know about their intentions. We have always supported India)."
"Humko threat milte rahe but Pakistan Cricket Board and government ne initiative liya hai. Agar indian cricket board ki niyat hai Pakistan ke sath chalne ki toh aajayega. Agar nahi hai, toh nahi aayenge fir security ko bahane bana dege (Even after threats Pakistan Cricket Board and the government took an initiative. If India has the intention to come to Pakistan, they will come. Otherwise, they will make an excuse of security)."
It is worth mentioning that India have not toured Pakistan for a cricket series since the 2008 Asia Cup. Pakistan were originally the host for the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup.
However, following India's reluctance to visit the country, a hybrid model was introduced. Just four matches of the continental tournament were played in Pakistan, with the remaining nine taking place in Sri Lanka.
"We don't need Gary Kirsten for the Pakistan team, we need guys like him to work at the grassroots" - Shahid Afridi
In the aforementioned media interaction, Shahid Afridi also spoke about how proven coaches like Gary Kirsten should be roped in to work at the grassroots level. He suggested that more than the senior team, the Under-16 and Under-19 players need that kind of guidance.
Shahid Afridi remarked:
"You need good teachers for the students to be good. Our focus on the grassroots level is not as much as it should be. We don't need Gary Kirsten for the Pakistan team, we need guys like him to work at the grassroots. We need them at the Under-16 and Under-19 levels so that the mindset of those children changes from there itself."
Pakistan appointed Gary Kirsten as the coach of their white-ball teams earlier this year. However, the Men in Green's struggles in recent ICC events continued as they suffered a group-stage exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup.