Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has given the credit of the success of Indian cricket to the Indian Premier League, citing it has helped the country’s budding cricketers to cope up with the pressures of international cricket very well.
“I think the IPL turned around Indian cricket. Their new players after having played in the IPL with top foreign players and having shared the dressing room with them are ready when they come into international cricket. They are ready to cope with the pressures at this level,” the former skipper said.
“I think the IPL changed their cricket and I think even our Pakistan Super League will do the same. Already we are seeing some good young players coming through the league. When you play with or against top international players before big crowds you learn to handle the pressure.”
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Afridi, however, did mention that the selectors need to give young players some chance in domestic cricket before bringing them forward. The flamboyant leg-spinner, as well as hard-hitting batsman, said he would continue to play in leagues until he is fit and able to perform in the games.
“It is not just about your name in T20 cricket. It is about being on the field and being able to perform for your team,” he added.
Although Afridi believes that bilateral cricket with India will not resume any time soon. However, he blamed India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the current situation between India and Pakistan and also said that a bilateral series between India and Pakistan would not be possible until Primer Minister Narendra Modi is in power.
Afridi said, “Till Modi is in power, I don’t think we will get any response from India. We have all, including Indians, understood the way Modi thinks. His thinking is inclined towards negativity. Our relationships are getting damaged just because of one person. People from either side of the border want to travel to each other’s country. I don’t understand what Modi wants to do and what his agenda really is.”
