The Indian team under Mahendra Singh Dhoni was reluctant to play against Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup and it showed in their attitude, alleged flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi.
Even though the arch-rivals did not meet in the main tournament, they featured in a sold-out warm-up match and Afridi alleged Dhoni and his men did not look keen to play Pakistan even though they claimed so.
“I was a bit disappointed. It didn’t appear to me by the attitude of the Indian players that they want to play against us,” Afridi told ‘Geo TV’ after his arriving home yesterday morning.
“On the face, they said they would like to see cricket between the two countries but I think in their hearts they thought otherwise. Their attitude and behaviour while playing against us showed this,” Afridi said. Pakistan and India froze bilateral cricket ties since the Mumbai terror attacks last November with the Indians canceling a scheduled Test tour earlier this year.
Afridi said he still believed that cricket could heal relations between the two nations and bring people together. “I always say use sports to foster good relations and remove misunderstandings,” said Afridi who starred in the tournament both with the bat and ball.
He said Pakistan had proved critics wrong by winning the World Cup when everyone had tipped India and South Africa as favourites.“I think our performance is a lesson for other teams. We are world champions and I hope teams will now come to Pakistan.” Afridi said Pakistan need to build on their historic victory.
“We are proud champions and, more so, we lived up to the expectations of millions of cricket fans in the country who were seeking some moments of smile,” Afridi said.
“We have met success in one event, but now we have to carry forward this momentum and win more and more series in future,” he said. (Hindustain Times)
