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"We didn't set an example on corrupt cricketers so these things kept on happening" : Shahid Afridi
Speaking on a video call:
"I had a plan to rest after PSL but when I saw the lockdown, I thought that if we all sit at home then who will go out and help others? My family was also stopping me and friends told me to stay at home and sit but I was worried about the poor people in society and labourers etc.
"Regarding matches vs India, I have always said that Pakistan needs to have better relations with India. "Relations with India should be better, cricket has always brought Pak and Ind closer. I agree with what Shoaib Akhtar said, we should have matches but for that, it's a big challenge to organize them. Then we don't know where they would be held, we don't know if India wants to play. We want to play India. It's difficult in this situation because of the Modi govt., there are negative things coming from them. Pakistan have always been positive but they also have to take a positive step.
"When PSL was finished and PCB announced that, I said that PCB should end it here. It's not easy to organize it again and to bring everyone back for knockouts. We don't know the situation for the future and we need to look forward. It's not that because I'm from Multan Sultans and we're number 1 but I think we need to finish PSL for this year and look to the next one.
"A lot of cricketers have helped, from India Yuvi and Bhajji supported us and cricketers, celebrities, film stars have helped us. Some players who I won't name also helped us. Pakistan is our land and we have to help each other and contribute.
"PCB will need to give packages to those cricketers who are struggling after department cricket finished, even other cricket. Their house costs were being sustained by playing cricket. PCB need to make a policy so that cricketers can comfortably survive in these times.
"Sometimes I don't understand what's behind their physical fitness tests, they seem to have tests very often - even as PSL was ending, they were planning tests after PSL but that didn't happen due to lockdown.
"They want the same fitness level from fast-bowlers, batsmen and wicket-keepers. Everyone has their own body and capabilities. A kid who weighs 60kgs is being asked to lift a weight of 120-130kgs which causes his back to break.
"You have some of your top cricketers, who I will not name, have knee problems.
"So I asked them what's the issue, they said we are made to train so much and lift so much weight; Every 15 days we have fitness tests.
"These guys aren't happy so Misbah should sit down these senior players and get the trainer who likes to do these fitness tests to attend this session and talk about a plan for fitness; The knees of these players aren't in good shape and T20 World Cup is coming, these are humans and it's not like you can replace (their knees like) a car tyre, so let's fix their fitness.
"Shoaib Akhtar said something positive for humanity, I am shocked at Kapil Dev's reply. I have seen many videos from India where people are eating food from the garbage and eating it. So he shouldn't have said something like this. I respect him a lot.
"Yuvi is doing great work, he is working hard for people, for children and my support will always be with him and I would like to request India's people to support his excellent cause, he is working for humanity. He has been given a name and has achieved a lot for India, now if he wants to give back and help people then they should support him.
"We didn't set an example before (about corrupt cricketers) so these things kept on happening.
"Sharjeel Khan amongst many others is my favourite cricketer and opening batsman; I feel that Pakistan has always had a problem of an opener and he is one player who can give Pakistan innings a good start.
"There have been issues (corruption) in the past and PCB have taken a decision to (reinstate players) but the question is if this happens again God Forbid, then what will we do then?
"So either take a decision that whoever does this will be back in the team in 3-4 years or say that such a player is banned from playing domestic and international cricket (forever).
"Lets take one decision so we know where we stand.
"We have a situation that we letting some players (involved in corruption) play domestic cricket but not international cricket; Why are we even letting them play domestic cricket?
"During PSL, I spoke to many players and asked them why they are out of the team. They said that after 1-2 matches where they don't perform, they are put under pressure and not given confidence. I know that players make excuses but mostly players have told me that they are under pressure and are on the verge of being dropped.
"I would like to tell Imran Khan that departmental cricket has played an important role for our cricketers and I think departmental cricket should be restored.
"AB de Villiers was one of the few cricketers who you really want to watch play. I haven't seen any other batsman with such shot-making skills. SA still need a player like that and I think that without him, their team is nothing."
Speaking on a video call:
"I had a plan to rest after PSL but when I saw the lockdown, I thought that if we all sit at home then who will go out and help others? My family was also stopping me and friends told me to stay at home and sit but I was worried about the poor people in society and labourers etc.
"Regarding matches vs India, I have always said that Pakistan needs to have better relations with India. "Relations with India should be better, cricket has always brought Pak and Ind closer. I agree with what Shoaib Akhtar said, we should have matches but for that, it's a big challenge to organize them. Then we don't know where they would be held, we don't know if India wants to play. We want to play India. It's difficult in this situation because of the Modi govt., there are negative things coming from them. Pakistan have always been positive but they also have to take a positive step.
"When PSL was finished and PCB announced that, I said that PCB should end it here. It's not easy to organize it again and to bring everyone back for knockouts. We don't know the situation for the future and we need to look forward. It's not that because I'm from Multan Sultans and we're number 1 but I think we need to finish PSL for this year and look to the next one.
"A lot of cricketers have helped, from India Yuvi and Bhajji supported us and cricketers, celebrities, film stars have helped us. Some players who I won't name also helped us. Pakistan is our land and we have to help each other and contribute.
"PCB will need to give packages to those cricketers who are struggling after department cricket finished, even other cricket. Their house costs were being sustained by playing cricket. PCB need to make a policy so that cricketers can comfortably survive in these times.
"Sometimes I don't understand what's behind their physical fitness tests, they seem to have tests very often - even as PSL was ending, they were planning tests after PSL but that didn't happen due to lockdown.
"They want the same fitness level from fast-bowlers, batsmen and wicket-keepers. Everyone has their own body and capabilities. A kid who weighs 60kgs is being asked to lift a weight of 120-130kgs which causes his back to break.
"You have some of your top cricketers, who I will not name, have knee problems.
"So I asked them what's the issue, they said we are made to train so much and lift so much weight; Every 15 days we have fitness tests.
"These guys aren't happy so Misbah should sit down these senior players and get the trainer who likes to do these fitness tests to attend this session and talk about a plan for fitness; The knees of these players aren't in good shape and T20 World Cup is coming, these are humans and it's not like you can replace (their knees like) a car tyre, so let's fix their fitness.
"Shoaib Akhtar said something positive for humanity, I am shocked at Kapil Dev's reply. I have seen many videos from India where people are eating food from the garbage and eating it. So he shouldn't have said something like this. I respect him a lot.
"Yuvi is doing great work, he is working hard for people, for children and my support will always be with him and I would like to request India's people to support his excellent cause, he is working for humanity. He has been given a name and has achieved a lot for India, now if he wants to give back and help people then they should support him.
"We didn't set an example before (about corrupt cricketers) so these things kept on happening.
"Sharjeel Khan amongst many others is my favourite cricketer and opening batsman; I feel that Pakistan has always had a problem of an opener and he is one player who can give Pakistan innings a good start.
"There have been issues (corruption) in the past and PCB have taken a decision to (reinstate players) but the question is if this happens again God Forbid, then what will we do then?
"So either take a decision that whoever does this will be back in the team in 3-4 years or say that such a player is banned from playing domestic and international cricket (forever).
"Lets take one decision so we know where we stand.
"We have a situation that we letting some players (involved in corruption) play domestic cricket but not international cricket; Why are we even letting them play domestic cricket?
"During PSL, I spoke to many players and asked them why they are out of the team. They said that after 1-2 matches where they don't perform, they are put under pressure and not given confidence. I know that players make excuses but mostly players have told me that they are under pressure and are on the verge of being dropped.
"I would like to tell Imran Khan that departmental cricket has played an important role for our cricketers and I think departmental cricket should be restored.
"AB de Villiers was one of the few cricketers who you really want to watch play. I haven't seen any other batsman with such shot-making skills. SA still need a player like that and I think that without him, their team is nothing."
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