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"A five-match Test series between India and Pakistan can be bigger than the Ashes" : Shahid Afridi

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"A five-match Test series between India and Pakistan can be bigger than the Ashes" : Shahid Afridi

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...-bigger-than-ashes-says-shahid-afridi-5461434

Days after ICC dismissed Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) petition claiming compensation from BCCI, former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Friday said that a five-match Test series against India is a bigger rivalry than the Ashes.

Speaking to NDTV, Afridi said, “The Ashes series played between England and Australia is considered as the fiercest rivalry but a five-match Test series between India and Pakistan can be bigger than that.”

Cricketer-turned-commentator Rameez Raja seconded Afridi by saying that the competition will save Test cricket. “First of all, Pakistan need to up their game against India. India-Pakistan matches will be hot-sellers. If you want to save Test cricket, India and Pakistan have to play each other. It has a different buzz and vibe. Players will learn the art of playing under pressure,” said Raza.

Earlier this week, the cricket’s governing body dismissed PCB’s compensation claim of 70 million USD, terming that the MOU signed between both the nations to hold six bilateral series is not a legally binding agreement. In its judgment, ICC stated, “In terms of any Indian tour to Pakistan, it was the PCB which was the suppliant. It was the host country which benefitted from the revenues in respect of such as tour. Bankrupts cannot be choosers, and while the PCB was certainly not bankrupt, at the very least sacrifice of such a tour would, as Mr (Subhan) Ahmad (PCB COO) put it, ‘definitely make a dent in our financial reserves’.”

“The prospect of bilateral tours with India as tourist was, in the PCB’s own words, ‘the most valuable prize in world cricket’ but ex hypothesi for other ICC Members, not the BCCI itself. By contrast there was no necessity for the BCCI, the dominant force in world cricket in the modern era, to play away against Pakistan. The BCCI may have had the wish, but it was the PCB which had the need.”

Both the nations share frosty political relationship and after the 2008 Mumbai attack, India cut off cricket ties with Pakistan. However, Pakistan visited India to play two T20Is and three ODIs from December 2012-January 2013.

The Indian cricket team are currently on their Australian tour, which will go on till January 18. Meanwhile, Pakistan team are playing a three-match Test series against New Zealand in UAE.
 
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I think these guys play different tune depending on which national media they are talking to.

It's better to stop talking about India Pakistan series coz it's not going to happen especially if the current political party in India is re elected.

Pakistan should now just tell Indian media to stop asking questions on this topic and focus their attention elsewhere. Two words 'No comment would suffice.
 
These guys speak without recognizing the ground realities. The BCCI has not even remotely tried to make an effort to seek govt approval for playing with Pakistan in a bilateral series, they are certainly not even going to try to do so now.
 
These guys speak without recognizing the ground realities. The BCCI has not even remotely tried to make an effort to seek govt approval for playing with Pakistan in a bilateral series, they are certainly not even going to try to do so now.

They are brown nosing becos they are afraid BCCI might take revenge?
 
As good as the rivalry is, quality of cricket most of the times turns out to be poor/average. In recent memory, when was the last time Ind-Pak played a properly competitive test series?

2007-08 was decent with high scoring draws in 2 tests
2006-07 - two boring test on highways, one sided series decider
2005 - Well fought series that ended in draw
2004 - All three one sided tests with 2 won by us, one by Pakistan
1999 - One of the best series. Chennai and Kolkata were well fought wins for Pakistan, Delhi was a good win for us

ODI series have been fun though. 04, 05, 06, 07 all had good competitive games
 
I think these guys play different tune depending on which national media they are talking to.

It's better to stop talking about India Pakistan series coz it's not going to happen especially if the current political party in India is re elected.

Pakistan should now just tell Indian media to stop asking questions on this topic and focus their attention elsewhere. Two words 'No comment would suffice.

Afridi is playing in a series bankrolled by Indian origin businessmen and is being played largely for Indian audiences. Sony has tied up with high profile PR agencies which promote this league. Cricinfo and Cricbuzz are providing proper ball by ball commentary. Expect such statements throughout this tournament.
 
As good as the rivalry is, quality of cricket most of the times turns out to be poor/average. In recent memory, when was the last time Ind-Pak played a properly competitive test series?

2007-08 was decent with high scoring draws in 2 tests
2006-07 - two boring test on highways, one sided series decider
2005 - Well fought series that ended in draw
2004 - All three one sided tests with 2 won by us, one by Pakistan
1999 - One of the best series. Chennai and Kolkata were well fought wins for Pakistan, Delhi was a good win for us

ODI series have been fun though. 04, 05, 06, 07 all had good competitive games

99 and 05 were very good series but you're right - most Pak-Ind Test series have been underwhelming.

There's been many hideously dull series, namely 1954-55, 1960-61, 1983, 1987 (except the Bangalore Test) and 1989. The first two Tests of the 2006 series were a complete waste of time. The main reason is preparing dead pitches so no side would lose face by losing.
 
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