Johnnesburg, September 30: We won’t put our friendship in jeopardy by deliberately losing to Australia today, Pak star Afridi tells Dhoni’s men
It’s D-DAY for India in the Champions Trophy and their survival depends on neighbours Pakistan, who have to beat world champions Australia in Centurion today.
Cricket throws up the most amusing of scenarios and this one is unique. The game is now viewed with cynical eyes. Pakistan could well decide to lose to put India out of the competition is a view of the cynics. After all, off-field relations between both countries are at its worst and Pakistan cricket authorities are convinced that India played a role in the removal of their hosting rights for the 2011 cricket World Cup.
Try telling flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi these theories and he blurts out “RUBBISH” emphatically. “This is all meaningless speculation,” Afridi said over the phone from Johannesburg. “We want to go out there and beat Australia. It doesn’t matter to us whether India qualify or crash out. We will be concentrating on our challenge against Australia. We have excellent relations with the Indian cricketers and we don’t want to lose our friends by indulging in such things.”
Pakistan’s decision to field reserve players today adds to the suspicion. But Afridi said changes in the team were caused due to injury problems.
“Imran Nazir suffered a finger injury in the last match against India and has to be replaced. Mohammad Asif needs to be played too (after serving his drug ban). I don’t think we have a depleted team. Asif has more experience than Mohammed Aamer while Misbah ul Haq has been around for quite a while. It’s still a top Pakistan outfit,” he said. When MiD DAY brought up the possibility of Pakistan losing to Australia on purpose, MS Dhoni said: “It’s not in our hands. We will welcome a Pakistan win and urge the people of India to cheer for them.”
–Agencies–