Mumbai, January 31: Shahid Afridi is pained at the turn of things since the January 19 auction of the Indian Premier League. The encouraging words from biggies like P Chidambaram and MS Gill have failed to enthuse the Pakistan all-rounder. What’s more, even Shah Rukh Khan’s comment that Pakistan players should have been picked up by the franchisees has not given him any hope.
“For what purpose,” asks a dejected Afridi while speaking to DNA from Perth. “Those words would have served some purpose if they were pronounced before the auction. If India’s home minister, sports minister and Shah Rukh had said such things before January 19, some decisions could, perhaps, have been taken. At this stage, what’s the use?” Afridi is upset at the belated solidarity.
For now, he does not see any hope for Pakistan players. “It’s too late”, he feels. “At this stage, I don’t think any Pakistan player will be playing (in the IPL). I don’t see that happening,” Pakistan’s Twenty20 skipper says categorically.
Afridi says he would not like to pass any comments on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to revoke the ‘No objection Certificate’ (NoC) on the IPL aspirants. “The PCB has taken the decision. I cannot comment on that. I’m contracted to the board, so I have to abide by the decision.” He would, however, not reveal if agrees with the PCB decision.
The flamboyant cricketer is also upset that things were not properly handled and says India missed a golden opportunity to normalise relations between the two countries. “The whole issue was not properly handled. There should be good relationship between the two countries. We want good cricketing ties as well. If BCCI and IPL had accepted the Pakistan players, it would have been a great first move by India. Pakistan is available for India anytime.”
Now, he urges the politicians, governments and cricket boards to resume cricketing ties. “Forget IPL, the cricketing ties between the countries should resume. It will be good for the countries and the game as well. Politics should be kept away from cricket. Even in the past, relations improved because of cricket and we should not miss that opportunity to repair the damage. Cricket should not be made to suffer because of the problems between the two governments.”
However, Afridi isn’t very optimistic. “The future is unpredictable. The governments of the two countries will have to take some concrete decisions. We don’t know how the politicians of the countries will behave. If the relationship is good, then we will to come.” He signs off saying, “We should swim with our the neighbours — through thick and thin.”
–Agencies–