We must host cricket in other cities too: Shahid Afridi

The entire cricket fraternity has been glued to the World XI series in Pakistan for the last two days. International cricket has smoothly made a comeback after an 8-year exile in the country following an attack on the Sri Lankan team in March 2009. The ICC and the PCB joined hands to begin cricketing operations in Pakistan again by organizing the Independence Cup.

Afridi credits authorities and players

One of Pakistan’s most popular cricketers – Shahid Afridi – was also seen in the audience in both the T20 games so far. Afridi, who is now retired but is still active in the T20 leagues around the world, has vowed to mark his presence in the third game on Friday too. The former captain credited the authorities and the foreign players for the successful reintegration of cricket in the country.

“Credit to Najam Sethi, PCB, ICC and all the foreign players for coming and helping Pakistan cricket.”

“I’m here for the matches and I will be here for the last match too. That’s because this is about Pakistan’s cricket and our respect. I will come to the ground for all the foreign players who have come to Pakistan,” said Afridi speaking on TV as reported by Pakpassion after the conclusion of the 2nd T20 game yesterday.

Afridi was glad about the proceedings but remarked that matches should be played in other cities as well and shouldn’t be restricted to just Lahore. “All these matches in Pakistan are sending out a really positive message which is a really good thing. Next time we should take this one step further and have matches at Karachi, Pindi and Multan so that the world sees we have had matches all over the country. We don’t want to show that we can host cricket in one city only, we want to show that we can host cricket in the whole country. For next time, the plans should involve the whole of Pakistan.”

Afridi cites similarities between Lahore and Manchester incidents

The attack on the bus which was carrying the Sri Lankan players shook the entire cricket fraternity. Some of the players got seriously injured and cricketers refused to tour Pakistan thereafter. Afridi brushed it off as a one off thing and said tragedies happen everywhere and one must not shut down operations completely.

“Tragedies happen everywhere. There was an incident in Manchester and the next day there was a match. Incidents happen everywhere but that doesn’t mean that you shut down all activity.”

Before the start of the series, Afridi had said that he wished the Indian cricketers could have participated in this historic event. He further added that sports should bridge the gap between countries and players from India and Afghanistan must have participated in the series.

“I have always said that sports should improve relations between countries. I have stated that Indian players should have been in the World XI squad. They can even be players who aren’t centrally contracted. Similarly, we should have brought players from Afghanistan. These are small decisions but in difficult times, boards should support each other.”

The Independence Cup has instilled confidence in international teams and it won’t be long before all countries will start touring the country again. Sri Lanka is to visit the country shortly and PCB is almost in the last stages of finalizing a home series against the West Indies.