Rohit Sharma's Call for India-Pakistan Bilaterals Draws Praise from Afridi

India's Test cricket captain, Rohit Sharma, has expressed his desire to resume bilateral series with Pakistan, citing the potential benefits for the format. This statement has garnered a positive response from former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who believes sports can bridge the gap between the two nations.

Rohit's comments came during a discussion on the Club Prairie Fire podcast, where he acknowledged Pakistan's strong bowling lineup and the competitive nature of their matches. He emphasized that playing Pakistan overseas would be a "great contest" and would benefit Test cricket.

Afridi praised Rohit's "positive statement," stating that it aligns with his belief that sports can foster better relations between India and Pakistan. He highlighted the historical role of cricket in building bridges between the two countries and expressed his hope that bilateral series would resume.

The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan was held in 2007-08. Since then, political tensions have prevented the resumption of regular matches. However, both teams have faced each other in ICC tournaments, including the ODI World Cup last year, where India emerged victorious.

The two sides are scheduled to meet again during the T20 World Cup later this year, with their match set to take place in New York on June 9. This encounter is highly anticipated by fans of both countries and could serve as a catalyst for further dialogue and cooperation.

Rohit's statement and Afridi's response have reignited hopes for the resumption of bilateral series between India and Pakistan. While political factors remain a challenge, the desire for sporting competition and the potential benefits for Test cricket could provide a compelling case for overcoming these obstacles.

Tags: #IndiaPakistanCricket, #TestCricket, #RohitSharma, #ShahidAfridi, #SportsDiplomacy