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Pakistani players are missing a big opportunity by not playing IPL: Shahid Afridi

Written by Sumit Seth

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi feels that bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan won’t be possible until Narendra Modi’s government is in power.

“The government of Pakistan is always ready but with the present regime [in India] there are no such chances of [resuming] cricket relations, of [Pakistan-India] series. With Modi in power, I don’t see it’s going to happen,” Shahid Afridi was quoted as saying by Arab News.

Shahid Afridi also believes that the Pakistani cricketers are missing a big opportunity by not playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the cash-rich T20 league is a very big brand in the world of cricket.

“I know that IPL is a very big brand in the world of cricket and it is an excellent opportunity for, whether it’s Babar Azam or many other Pakistani players to go there [to India] and play under pressure and share dressing rooms. So in my opinion Pakistani players are missing a big opportunity,” Afridi added.

“No doubt, the way I have enjoyed cricket in India; I have always appreciated the love and respect that I have gotten from the people of India. And now when I speak on social media, I get many messages from India and I reply to many people. I believe that my overall experience of India has been excellent,” Shahid Afridi said when he was asked if he was more loved in India than in Pakistan.

About the author

Sumit Seth