Kolkata: Happy with the reception here, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi on Sunday said his country’s cricketers get more love from the fans in India than from those back home.
“We get lot of love from fans here, even more than the love we get from fans in Pakistan,” Afridi told the media at the Eden Gardens, a day after their arrival to take part in the World Twenty20.
The 36-year-old dashing all-rounder recalled that he has been coming to India for two decades during his long career, and asserted that cricket has always brought the two countries together.
“Cricket is a sport which has brought the two countries together. Can there be anything better than politics and cricket to bring the two countries together?” he said.
However, Afridi disagreed with a scribe about the fact that none of the Pakistan players opted out of the tournament after their authorities gave them a choice to travel or not to travel to India showed that they disagreed with their government’s apprehensions about their security in India.
“It is not a question of disagreement. Whatever decision the government takes, we back it. We are not politicians,” he said.
Pakistan were earlier scheduled to arrive here on Tuesday but that got delayed as the country’s government wasn’t happy with the security arrangements in India. Finally after an assurance from Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the team finally arrived here on Saturday evening.
Afridi turned a tad sentimental as he profusely praised the Eden Gardens, particularly its boisterous crowd, where Pakistan would be playing a warm-up game as also two Super 10 group B fixtures including the high-voltage clash against India on March 19.
Asked whether the roar of the expected full house of 65,000 at the Eden Gardens would put his team under pressure, the 36-year-old said: “International cricket is all about pressure. One who can handle pressure wins.”
“And talking about the fans, my cricket is about to end. The sort of love I have got here I will remember all through my life. People here really love cricket and the cricketers. They love good performances.”
Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmad said he idolises Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and he would want to be a “finisher” like him.
“Absolutely, Dhoni inspires me. He does it for wicket-keeping and batting both. He is a great keeper. I idolise him. The way he finishes an innings I would like to do the same for Pakistan too,” he told reporters here.
Sarfraz has often played the role of a floating batsman in the side and he wishes to continue doing the same according to the necessities of the team.
“I hope I can fit in wherever possible and contribute for the team. Going forward also, I will try and do the same, that is play where the team management needs me,” he said.
