Posted by New Delhi: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi lauded Indian skipper Rohit Sharma over his recent remarks on the resumption of bilateral ties between the arch-rivals. Rohit was asked about India and Pakistan locking horns in a potential Test series and the Indian captain said he loved the idea as it would be a great contest from a cricketing perspective.
India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket with each other since 2012-13 and they last played a bilateral Test series in 2007. The two countries continue to play against each other in major ICC events, however, they don’t play bilateral cricket with each other due to strained political relations. Afridi said Rohit’s comments are a positive sign while stressing the importance of sports in bettering the relations between the two nations.
Afridi also called Rohit an ambassador of India and reminisced about the old tours between the two nations. Pakistan last visited India for a limited-overs series in 2013. The Men in Green also visited India for the 2023 ODI World Cup last year and played across different series during the tournament.
“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,” Afridi said during a show on Pakistani channel Samaa TV.
“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),” he added.
What did Rohit Sharma say about a potential India-Pakistan Test series?
Rohit recently appeared on the Club Prairie Fire podcast with former England captain Michael Vaughan and former Australia wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist. During a discussion on the podcast, Vaughan asked Rohit if he thought India playing Pakistan would be great for Test cricket. Responding to the question, the Indian skipper said it would be a great contest citing the quality bowling attack of Pakistan.
“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 said on the podcast.
India won the last Test series they played against Pakistan in 2007. The hosts won the three-match series 1-0 at home. India won the first Test in Delhi by six wickets before the last two matches ended in a draw. India and Pakistan have never played each other in the World Test Championship.