Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Monday (April 13) reacted over Kapil Dev's remarks on Shoaib Akhtar’s idea of an India-Pakistan ODI series behind closed-door to jointly raise funds in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

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Last week, Akhtar had proposed this suggestion but Kapil rejected it saying “India doesn’t need the money” and it is not worth risking lives for a cricket match.

Speaking to reporters in Kohat, Afridi endorsed Shoaib’s idea before adding that he was left surprised by the comments of Indian great Kapil.

“The entire world is fighting against coronavirus and we need unity in our region to defeat this common enemy. Such negative comments don’t help at all,” Afridi said.

“I don’t see anything wrong with Shoaib Akhtar’s suggestion for Pakistan and India to play cricket. Kapil’s reaction has surprised me. I expected better from him and feel one should not talk like this in these crisis times,” he added.

Afridi also reiterated his astonishment at some of the “negative comments” Indian stars Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh had to cope for supporting his charity foundation.

“Sport is supposed to bring people together and build bridges. It is pretty disappointing.”

Afridi then urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to order the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reinstate departmental cricket in the country to save the livelihood of hundreds of domestic players.

“I myself played for the departments and witnessed how departments really salvaged domestic cricket in Pakistan and helped it thrive decade after decade.

“Departments take good care of the players and spend lots of money on the development of domestic cricket, so how can departmental cricket hurt Pakistan cricket,” he questioned.

(With PTI inputs)