Cricket News

‘Whatever they say, will happen’- Legendary Pakistan cricketer speaks about India’s dominance in cricket

Former Pakistan All-rounder Shahid Afridi has commented on Indian cricket’s dominance in the world of cricket after the successful completion of the Indian T20 league in 2022. The upcoming seasons of the league are set to be even more profitable for the Indian Cricket Board as they managed to sell the media rights for the next 5-year cycle for a whopping INR 48,340 crores.

The Indian Cricket Board Secretary, Jay Shah also confirmed recently about having a separate window for the Indian T20 League. While the entire cricketing fraternity comes together for the grand spectacle of the Indian T20 league every year, Pakistan are banned from participating in it due to the political tensions between the two nations.

Pakistan hosted Australia this year in March 2022, which meant that a few big Australian players missed the starting fixtures of the Indian T20 League 2022 as they joined the league after the end of the international series. Pakistan then had to take a break for more than two months until their recent West Indies series at home after the conclusion of the league.

Commenting on the Indian T20 League’s impact on Pakistan’s cricket schedule, the former Pakistani star said that India have the biggest cricket market in the world and they will do whatever they decide.

“It all comes down to the market and the economy. The biggest [cricket] market is India. Whatever they will say will happen,” Afridi said while speaking on Samaa TV’s show Game Set Match.

A few years back, Afridi had praised the Indian T20 league and called it to be a big brand in which Pakistani players like Babar Azam should play.

“Indian T20 League is a very big brand and it’s an excellent opportunity – whether it’s Babar Azam or any other Pakistani players to go play under pressure and share the dressing rooms. Pakistani players are missing a big opportunity by not playing in it,” Afridi had said.