Pakistan Board "Isn't Weak": Ex-Captain's Strong Message To BCCI, Advices Making 'Friends'

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to resolve all outstanding issues that have stalled cricketing ties between the two countries and facilitate the return of one of the greatest rivalries in the gentleman's game. Recently, Afridi's team Asia Lions defeated World Giants and emerge as the new champions of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) Masters. In the final held at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in Doha, Asia Lions, cheered on by a packed crowd, scored an emphatic seven-wicket victory with 23 balls to spare.

"BCCI should resolve all issues affecting our cricketing ties. PCB wants India to come here to play. We are even willing to go there and play. However, for this, the BCCI should talk to the PCB once. We want to talk. We always take the first step and want the BCCI to reciprocate. I urge the BCCI to not arrive at any decision just like that. They should talk to the PCB chairman at least once before arriving at any decision," Afridi told ANI.

Both teams have not participated in bilateral competitions in more than a decade owing to the political tensions prevailing between the two nations. The last bilateral series was back in 2012 when the Men in Green toured India for three ODIs and as many T20Is.

'PCB is not a weak board'

Afridi, who recently served as the interim chief selector, said the PCB is not a weak board. "What can we do if we want to befriend another board and it doesn't reciprocate in kind? Our board isn't a weak one. But there's little we can do if we want to be friends and the other side doesn't respond. The BCCI, as a cricket governing body, is very strong. When you have so much power and clout, you