Former all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes there is ‘no chance’ of a bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan as long as Narendra Modi’s government is in power.
"The government of Pakistan is always ready but with the present regime [in India] there are no such chances of [resuming] cricket relations, of [Pakistan-India] series. With Modi in power, I don't see it's going to happen," Afridi was quoted as saying by Arab News.
He also opined that the Pakistani cricketers are missing a big opportunity by not featuring in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the lucrative tournament is a very big brand in the world of cricket.
"I know that IPL is a very big brand in the world of cricket and it is an excellent opportunity for, whether it's Babar Azam or many other Pakistani players to go there [to India] and play under pressure and share dressing rooms. So in my opinion Pakistani players are missing a big opportunity," Afridi said.
The IPL 2020, which was plunged into uncertainty with COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc in India, got underway in UAE on September 19 and it will run till November 10. The sixty-game event is being played across three venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
When asked if he was more loved in India than in Pakistan, Afridi replied: "No doubt, the way I have enjoyed cricket in India; I have always appreciated the love and respect that I have gotten from the people of India. And now when I speak on social media, I get many messages from India and I reply to many people. I believe that my overall experience of India has been excellent."
