KARACHI: Former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi said he has failed to understand the politics of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, suggesting that “Imran Bhai needs to focus on KP for amelioration of downtrodden people, so that they remember him in good words.”
In a private TV channel programme on Friday, the former captain, known for belligerent style both on and off the field, called for building maximum cricket facilities in big cities of the country for the promotion of the game and finding new talent.
Afridi said that PCB has established a cricket academy in Karachi recently, which was a good omen and called for such facilities in other cities as well. He termed the cricket academies as nurseries for talent hunt.
On Pakistan’s unabated poor performance in Test matches in Australia, he said that he was not surprised, as in the prevailing domestic system matches could only be won in the UAE.
To a question, Afridi said he considers himself as one of the best player for the T-20 format of the game. He said that peace was returning to the country, adding that if PCB exerts pressure in ICC meetings, international cricket may return to Pakistan soon.
The former all-rounder said he had to move to Lahore in 2015 to prepare for the first Pakistan Super League, as proper training facilities were not available in Karachi. Afridi said that Sindh, particularly interior of the province, lacked basic sports facilities. He supported the idea of formation of players association.
