The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ‘Indians were reluctant to play us’

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Thursday, Jun 25, 2009
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‘Indians were reluctant to play us’

Karachi: The Indian team under M.S. Dhoni was reluctant to play against Pakistan in the ICC World Twenty20 and it showed in its attitude, alleged flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

Even though the arch-rivals did not meet in the main tournament, they featured in a sold-out warm-up match and Afridi alleged Dhoni and his men did not look keen to play Pakistan even though they claimed so.

‘Disappointing’

“I was a bit disappointed. It didn’t appear to me by the attitude of the Indian players that they want to play against us,” Afridi told Geo TV after his arriving home on Wednesday morning.

“On the face, they said they would like to see cricket between the two countries but I think in their hearts they thought otherwise. Their attitude and behaviour while playing against us showed this,” Afridi said.

Pakistan and India have froze bilateral cricket ties since the Mumbai terror attacks last November with the Indians cancelling a scheduled Test tour earlier this year.

‘A healer’

Afridi said he still believed that cricket could heal relations between the two nations and bring people together.

“I always say use sports to foster good relations and remove misunderstandings,” said Afridi who starred in the tournament both with the bat and ball.

A lesson

He said Pakistan had proved critics wrong by winning the World T20 title when everyone had tipped India and South Africa as favourites.

“I think our performance is a lesson for other teams. We are World champions and I hope teams will now come to Pakistan.” — PTI

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