Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has reacted to India skipper Rohit Sharma’s recent remark on a bilateral Test series between India and Pakistan. In a series of public comments, Shahid Afridi responded to Rohit Sharma’s openness to the idea of a Test series, describing it as a “very good answer” and asserting that such matches should indeed take place. The former Pakistan all-rounder praised Rohit for his role as an ambassador of India and underscored the importance of sports in fostering better relations between India and Pakistan. Afridi reminisced about past cricket tours between the two nations, suggesting that these events helped build stronger bonds.
“Bilkul bahut acha jawab hai, hona bhi yahi chahiye (very good answer, the series should happen). A positive statement from an Indian captain. He is also an ambassador of India. We have always said that the relationship between Pakistan and India…..sports -especially cricket – has played an important role in it. We used to go to India and play cricket there. These things build relationship….padosi hai padosiyo ka haq hota relationship jitna behtar ho utna acha hai (it’s neighbours right to have a good relationship),” Afridi said on Samaa TV.
Rohit had said he would be open to playing Tests against Pakistan at a neutral venue as it would be a “great contest” against the “superb bowling line-up” of the arch-rivals. The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan took place in 2007, with only sporadic encounters in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup since then. Both Afridi and Sharma’s statements have sparked discussions and hopes among fans and officials alike about the potential return of one of the most riveting rivalries in the cricket world.
During a discussion on the Club Prairie Fire podcast, former England captain Michael Vaughan had questioned Rohit saying: “Don’t you think India playing Pakistan regularly will be fantastic for Test cricket?”.
Responding to the question, Rohit said: “I totally believe that they are a good team, superb bowling line-up, good contest, if we play overseas. The last Test was played way back in 2007-08. Yeah, I would love to (play against Pakistan), it would be a great contest between two sides. We play them in ICC trophies, pure cricket I am looking at, great contest, so why not?” Rohit had said.
Source Agencies
