‘This is not a generation of wars and fights’ – Shahid Afridi’s bold statement regarding India’s denial over traveling to Pakistan for Asia Cup

The Cricket of India and the Pakistan Cricket Board are engaged in yet another bitter dispute due to Team India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023. Harbhajan Singh, former off-spinner legend of India, recently asserted that India shouldn’t visit Pakistan because it isn’t “safe” to play there.

Shahid Afridi, former Pakistan captain and current captain of the Asia Lions, has recently asserted that despite a threat from a man living in Bombay, the Pakistani team decided to visit India. Afridi was questioned about how things will go better if there is continuous retaliation while speaking to the media outside of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2023. “Who is saying no to Asia Cup? India is saying no?” Afridi asked.

‘We have played against India with a lot of love and affection’ – Shahid Afridi

Afridi asserted that although an Indian player had threatened the Pakistani squad—he declined to identify the player—the Pakistani administration overcame its divisions to send the team to India.

“Aap Indian team ko bheje toh sahi, hum log sar aankhon par rakhenge (You just send the Indian team to Pakistan, and we will welcome them with great pleasure). Before this, an Indian from Mumbai, won’t take his name, had threatened Pakistan that they won’t be allowed in India. But we kept all aside, and our government had taken it up as a responsibility, and Pakistan team did go to India. So threats should not ruin our relationship. Threats will remain,” he said.

The former all-rounder provided more evidence by recalling India’s visit to Pakistan in 2004–2005 and how spectators there appreciated players like Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh.

“It would have been really nice if India had come. It would have been a step towards cricket and Pakistan for India. This is not a generation of wars and fights; we want relationships to get better. We have played against India with a lot of love and affection. I remember when we came to India, we got an outstanding response. If you remember the 2005 series, Harbhajan and Yuvraj used to go shopping and to restaurants, and no one used to charge them money. This is the beauty of the two nations,” he said.