2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Cricket Can Be An Actual Source Of Bringing The Two Nations Together – Shahid Afridi
Nov 2, 2023 at 3:37 PM
Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi in his exclusive column for International Cricket Council’s (ICC), digital medium bats for peace, as he believes it’s the gentleman’s game which could bring two neighbouring countries; India and Pakistan on the same page, in order to deescalate the tensions which have been soaring the relations in the recent past.
“Cricket can be an actual source of bringing the two nations together and reducing the tensions,” Afridi wrote for digital platform of ICC.
Interestingly, the Asian giants in the world cricket are scheduled to face-off in the marquee clash on June 18 at the Oval which is expected to be a humdinger.
The 37-year-old Afridi, who is the Brand Ambassador for 2017 ICC Champions Trophy from Pakistan, reveals he’s desperate to watch the game like any other in the world of cricket, but stating it would be an interesting contest which would be written in a history after seeing both sides giving their best, in a bid to lift the coveted title.
“I, like the rest of the world, can’t wait for the match to start,” Afridi stated.
Let us hope that we see a game of epic proportions that is remembered for a long, long time.
The celebrated all-rounder Afridi, who has played significant amount of cricket which is spread over 18 years, has effusively praised Pakistan’s newly appointed skipper Sarfraz Ahmed to register a glory.
“Pakistan have been led admirably by Sarfraz Ahmed to defy expectations and reach the Champions Trophy final Cricket fans, we have a dream final!,” Afridi maintained.
Interestingly, the ICC commentators have had picked their finalists, before the start of the eight-nation tournament which further saw Pakistan former batsman Rameez Raja naming India-Pakistan would wrestle in the final.
As the die-hard fans would be vouching for the respective teams, Afridi believes it has been fascinating games to witness for the fans.
While talking about the length and breadth of a game, Afridi has given a piece of advice to Sarfraz to continue the way he had led Pakistan during the ongoing edition, adding seniors have to throw full support to yield the desired result.
“My advice to Sarfraz for the final is simple – take all decisions wholeheartedly and without any fear whatsoever,” Afridi added.
While talking about the Indian batting line-up, Afridi stated Pakistan bowling would face stern test from Men in Blue top-order, while stating Virat Kohli has been proving his mettle in the run-chases.
“The Indian batsmen look unfazed even in a pressure situation, [Virat] Kohli’s scarcely believable record while chasing is known to all,” Afridi remarked.
Afridi has further requested the bodies of India to give a space to the bilateral cricket between both the neighbouring countries.
The leg-spinner revealed the unpredictability of the Pakistan side keeps them in contest, as youngsters are working hard to give their best.
“I am not sure how many people tipped the two arch-rivals to clash in the final, especially after the one-sided defeat Pakistan had to endure in its opening match in Birmingham,” Afridi asserted.
Afridi has played 398 One-day Internationals, 98 Twenty20 Internationals and 27 Tests for Pakistan.
The swashbuckling batsman has featured in five ICC Champions Trophies. He had smashed 8064 runs and bagged 395 wickets in 50-over format.