"Sports should be kept away from politics" - Shahid Afridi

An India-Pakistan series is among the most high profile contests in world cricket. Unfortunately, the two nations don’t play bilateral series anymore and ICC tournaments are the only events where the fans can watch them play against each other. Recently, a Pakistani newspaper reported that India -Pakistan might play a short T20I series ahead of the World T-20. However, the claims were quashed by the officials of both countries. Pakistan veteran Shahid Afridi has always voiced his opinion in favour of the India-Pakistan series and once again he’s spoken on the matter. Afridi said that sports should be kept away from politics. He reckoned that cricket can improve the ties between the two countries.

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"Cricket between Pakistan and India is very important. Sports should be kept away from politics. Relations between the two countries can improve because of cricket," Shahid Afridi told Cricket Pakistan.

The all-rounder wants the Indian team to travel to Pakistan. He revealed that Indians have been heartedly welcomed in Pakistan and the players enjoy being here. He reckoned that both nations should take a step forward in an attempt to improve their relations.

"I have said this before as well, Indian cricketers enjoy coming to Pakistan. You can improve relationships through sports but if you don't want to improve them then they will remain the same way," Shahid Afridi added.

Afridi was part of the Pakistan T20I squad that toured India in 2012-13. The all-rounder, however, couldn’t make an impact in the series and returned with 14 runs and 1 wicket in the two matches. The T20I series ended in a tie while Pakistan clinched the ODI series 2-1.