I have enjoyed each and every tour to India, reveals Shahid Afridi
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Shahid Afridi has confessed that he has enjoyed every tour to India that he has been a part of with the Pakistan unit and hopes to see the ties improve between both nations. Afridi also downplayed the never-ending rift with Gautam Gambhir saying he does not have anything against the India opener.
Shahid Afridi has caused quite a stir with the controversial nature of his recently released autobiography titled ‘Gamechanger’. The hard-hitting all-rounder spoke freely and openly about his time with the Pakistan national team and his rivalry against former India opener - Gautam Gambhir.
However, the former Pakistan captain has revealed that despite the animosity between India and Pakistan on the socio-political front, Afridi always enjoyed his tours of India with the Pakistan cricket team.
“I have enjoyed each and every tour of India because of the love and affection I and other Pakistani players have got there always. I admire Indian cricket because of the way the sport is run there and how the money they earn is invested back into the game and players.
“I still believe that cricket is one way to reduce tensions between the two countries and we should have regular bilateral matches. Because when we tour each other’s countries there will be more people to people contact and misunderstandings will be lessened. It was a fantastic atmosphere and I believe we must do it again. Pakistan and Indian people love their players and want to see bilateral matches,” Afridi said as per PTI sources.
Afridi’s comments on Gambhir in his book caused the former to hit back with a series of Tweets in the last week. The duo have been at loggerheads ever since they clashed on-field during the 2007 series but Afridi claimed that he does not have anything against Gambhir despite all the stuff being written in the media.
“I just want to say when we had that fight in the match it was a mistake by both of us. We realised that later. I have nothing personal against Gambhir. In fact, I have some good friends in the Indian team and I get along with them well off the field. Even if I meet Gambhir somewhere, I will greet him normally as I have nothing in my heart against him,” Afridi added.
The former Pakistani all-rounder has picked Virat Kohli in his all-time World Cup squad and left out Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. When asked about this, he replied, “Sachin and Dhoni are greats and they have achieved a lot for Indian cricket. I picked Kohli because he just looks so majestic and beautiful to watch while batting.”
