Seen players from both countries eat together: Sarfaraz Ahmed bats for resumption of Indo-Pak ties

Tags: Pakistan, Sarfaraz Ahmed

Published on: Jun 22, 2020

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is hopeful that India-Pakistan cricket ties would resume soon. India have not played a bilateral series with Pakistan for quite sometime in the wake of political tensions among the two nations. The teams have only met at ICC events like the World Cup and the Champions Trophy.

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is hopeful that India-Pakistan cricket ties would resume soon. India have not played a bilateral series with Pakistan for quite sometime in the wake of political tensions among the two nations. The teams have only met at ICC events like the World Cup and the Champions Trophy.

Speaking to CricTracker, Sarfaraz stated that India and Pakistan players get along very well, and he wants the situation to improve so that the two nations can start playing against each other more often again. It may be recalled that after the 2017 Champions Trophy final, in which Pakistan thrashed India, players of both countries were seen joking with each other.

However, things are not the same anymore. Recently, Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh publicly criticised Shahid Afridi after the latter made some controversial remarks about Kashmir and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Of course, there is this thing that people from India and Pakistan are quite passionate about Cricket and have loads of love for the game. I have personally seen that there is a good friendship between Pakistani and Indian players,” Sarfaraz was quoted as telling CricTracker.

“When I had gone to India in 2007. Besides, when India came to Pakistan in 2008, I have even seen scenes when I have also seen players from both countries sit together and eat. But now, unfortunately, it is a scenario where-in we are not able to play matches, but I hope the situation improves and India and Pakistan are able to play cricket the way they used to,” he added.

It has been three years since Pakistan stunned India in the Champions Trophy final. Recalling the day, Sarfaraz, who was the captain of that team, added that it is a day he will never forget for the rest of his life.

“After an extremely long time, in a big event, Pakistan won against India which was a strong team after a very long time in a major tournament. So, everyone in Pakistan was very happy. For me, and even for my family members, 18th June was a date to remember for life. Absolutely, no one can forget,” Sarfaraz said, reliving the jubilation.

“You very well know how India and Pakistan matches are. No matter what kind of match it is, whether it is a bilateral series or any tournament people from both sides get all excited,” the former captain admitted about the intensity of India-Pakistan clashes.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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