Don't treat us as ''untouchables'', Afridi's appeal to BCCI

[Gossipmonger]

Don't treat us as ''untouchables'', Afridi's appeal to BCCI
April 8

Shahid Afridi feels deeply hurt and has appealed to the Indian Cricket Board that Pakistan players shouldn't be treated as ''untouchables'' when it comes to including them in the cash-rich Indian Premier League.

"It is high time that Pakistani cricketers should also get a place in IPL. For three seasons including the current one, we haven't been a part of the IPL. We have no problems playing in India as we have just played a World Cup semi-final there. We are deeply hurt that they are treating us like 'untouchables'," Afridi told PTI Bhasha from Karachi.

He further added that Pakistani public feel hurt that their players are not playing in IPL.
"I am not saying that I want to play IPL but it could be a great platform for youngsters. They could make a mark for themselves."

As many as 11 Pakistan players were part of inaugural season of IPL in 2008. Afridi was the costliest Pakistani player who was bagged by the Hyderabad team for USD 675,000.
Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Mohammad Hafeez and Salman Butt (Kolkata Knight Riders), Younis Khan, Sohail Tanveer and Kamran Akmal (Rajasthan Royals), Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Asif (Delhi Daredavils) and Misbah Ul Haq (Royal Challangers Banglore) were the other players .

Pakistani players missed out on the 2009 and 2010 editions due to security concerns in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks.

Afridi has said that Indian PM Manmohan Singh's invitation to Pakistani PM for the semi-finals was a positive sign and that is the way to go forward.

"Our PM Yusuf Raza Gilani responded in positive on that invitation. Now IPL can be a platform to further ease the tension," he said.

"We should play more and more against each other. This will not only ease the pressure but will also reduce the unwanted media hype surrounded with Indo–Pak matches," he said.

For Afridi, Indo- Pak matches are not war as players of both teams share great rapport off the field.

"On field, yes there are moments of pressure and tension whenever we play but off it, we are all friends. I share great bond with Harbhajan and respect Sachin a lot," said Afridi.

On his criticism of Gautam Gambhir's statement about dedicating the WC win to the people who died in Mumbai terror attack, Afridi said that he did not say anything about Gambhir.

"I never heard Gautam saying anything like that, so how could I react over that. It is ridiculous," he said.

Don't treat us as ''untouchables'', Afridi's appeal to BCCI

So now we know 'Something' behind the Afridi's recent Flip-Plops....!!!!!

 

[Bhairava]

Lol.......Sabse Bada Rupaiya.

Where is the Pakistan Ghairat brigage now ??

 

[SpArK]

 

[aks18]

any video link ??? kindly share it

 

[Markus]

I told you guys earlier, its all the about the IPL.

Ever since his verbal antics began, it was IPL in his mind.

 

[SpArK]

video link

 

[RoYaL~GuJJaR]

Ahm Ahm....$$$$$$$$.....

 

[Markus]

Paise ke liye kuch bhi karega.

 

[StingRoy]

 

[Gossipmonger]

Afridi does a U-turn, says he enjoys playing in India

Karachi, April 5 (IANS) Pakistani cricket captain Shahid Afridi went on the backfoot Tuesday, saying his comments on Indians not being as large hearted as their neighbours were misquoted by sections of the media.
'First of all, I want to congratulate the Indian team and the people for winning the World Cup. I have been playing cricket for a while. It is a shame that media has hyped up the issue. I have never discriminated between a Hindu or a Muslim. It is all equal in our religion. My comments were misquoted by the media,' Afridi said.

The skipper sparked a controversy saying 'Indians are not as large hearted as Pakistanis or Muslims and it is very difficult to improve the relations between the two countries'.

After a furore, Afridi sought to play down the issue.

'What I really meant was when the Indian team came to Pakistan last time, the people here showed a big heart. So the same way it should happen in India whenever we go there. That is all I meant. It is important to have good relations with our neighbours,' he said.

Afridi went on to add that playing in India is something he has enjoyed the most in his career.

'Whenever we go to India, we participate in the charity programmes. I have a played a lot in India. We get a lot of love there. The cricketers there are valued even more than Pakistan. Playing in India is something I have enjoyed the most in my 14-year-old career,' he said.

The dashing all-rounder, however, slammed the media on both sides of the border.

'The media was disappointing when I came to Mohali. The media should talk about peace. We can't have much expectations from the politicians. People to people contact can only improve the relations.

'I will listen to the interview again. Suddenly I am asked this question. I am not scared of anyone. I like India, its people, I want to play there and I don't want to hype the issue.'

Afridi's comments were criticised by several former Pakistani players including ex-captain Aamer Sohail.

'I think Afridi should have not made such comments. It was immature of him to say that and especially the timing of it. You have got to respect every individual,' said Sohail referring to the meeting of the two Prime Ministers on the sidelines of the World Cup semifinal between India and Pakistan.
Afridi does a U-turn, says he enjoys playing in India | Cricket News - Yahoo! Cricket - Yahoo! Cricket

 

[Whiplash]

ROFL! Money talks!
If he's so intent on a platform for youngsters why not try out the newly announced and already hugely popular PPL?

 

[luckyyy]

afridi getting it totally wrong , it was the PCB which denied them playing in IPL after india cancelled the pakistan series on security ground...the franchies suffer losses as they again have to arrange new players in a quick time...

PCB need to asure the IPL franchies that it will not be repeated , after all it's business that takes the pain ..

 

[aks18]

I told you guys earlier, its all the about the IPL.

Ever since his verbal antics began, it was IPL in his mind.

kindly share video of his interview ??? i havent seen any statement of afridi in any news channels and newspaper

 

[aks18]

ROFL! Money talks!
If he's so intent on a platform for youngsters why not try out the newly announced and already hugely popular PPL?

well our only sialkot stallions team is enough for u guys best team in t20 matches u cant compete with them they are unbeatable ,, u have already experienced our team lahore badshah's in ICL

 

[Nirvana]

SomeOne from Pakistani side was saying that ' IPL Is all about Money ' ' Indians play for money and Fame ' while ' Pakistani players play for Their Country '