Shahid Afridi asks international community to end Pakistan’s cricketing isolation

Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has made an emotional appeal to the international community, urging the foreign sides to visit Pakistan.

The Green Shirts have played no international cricket at home since the terrorist attack on Sri Lankan team in 2009. During the last three years, the Men in Green played several home series in UAE.

Bangladesh made a commitment to tour the country twice, but decided not to come due to security concerns. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has designed a Super T20 League to attract international cricket, but the beginning is not good.

Australia and South Africa have already refused to send players to Pakistan for the T20 league. Afridi is really disappointed over the current situation, and stated that Pakistan has been sidelined.

"We are desperately trying to revive international cricket in our country and need co-operation but it’s not coming. Pakistan cricket is suffering because of non-cooperation and it is high time that other nations contribute to our efforts. Don’t leave us
alone," Afridi told AFP.

"If two players from each country come we can stage a good league and I request Cricket Australia to send their players. FICA must also co-operate. Pakistan needs support and if a player is willing to come and we are assuring him security, then they must
not stop him. This is the time that world cricket must support us," he added.

The blistering all-rounder wants Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh to help the country, wishing for a special bond with these neighbouring countries. He described that Pakistan had helped Bangladesh in getting the Test status, and it is the time for them to
pay back.

He also urged the Indians to be helpful, after his side recently toured the neighbouring country. He further explained:

"Pakistan has helped Bangladesh, they shouldn’t forget that. We toured India for a limited over series in December-January which helped them earn a huge amount and now it’s India’s time to help us — all the more so because cricket has been the biggest tool
in bringing both nations closer.”

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=37913

Posted by Rana Nasir Ghafoor on Feb 2 2013. Filed under Pakistan, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry