BCCI should resolve all issues affecting our cricketing ties: Shahid Afridi

It is no secret that the relations between the BCCI and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been strained for quite some time now. Despite being neighbours, India and Pakistan only face each other in major ICC or ACC tournaments. Recently both the boards have been engaged in discussions regarding the 2023 Asia Cup hosting discord.

Amidst all the commotion, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi recently came forward and opined that both BCCI and PCB should come together to resolve their issues. Notably, both India and Pakistan have faced each other in major tournaments on occasions, but not in a bilateral competition in more than a decade.

"BCCI should resolve all issues affecting our cricketing ties. PCB wants India to come here to play. We are even willing to go there and play. However, for this, the BCCI should talk to the PCB once. We want to talk. We always take the first step and want the BCCI to reciprocate. I urge the BCCI to not arrive at any decision just like that. They should talk to the PCB chairman at least once before arriving at any decision," Afridi was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Our board isn't a weak one: Afridi

With several reports stating that the BCCI and PCB are working together to find a solution for the hosting row of the 2023 Asia Cup, It has been reported that the tournament could host some of its matches at a neutral venue, which will include at least two games between India and Pakistan.

Speaking about the tensed relations between both cricket boards, Afridi opined that BCCI should look to make more friends and not enemies. He also reflected on the fact that there is very little that the PCB can do if the BCCI does not reciprocate their attempts at resolving ties.

"What can we do if we want to befriend another board and it doesn't reciprocate in kind? Our board isn't a weak one. But there's little we can do if we want to be friends and the other side doesn't respond. The BCCI, as a cricket governing body, is very strong. When you have so much power and clout, you become more responsible. You should try to make more friends, not enemies. Making more friends only makes you stronger," Afridi said.