Shahid Afridi slams Indian media for negative coverage during the ICC World Cup 2011
Pakistan captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 has slammed the Indian media for their negative coverage before their semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2011 against archrivals India.
He also blamed the Indian television channels for damaging the political ties between the neighbouring countries.
The Men in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in the semi-final of the mega event at Mohali and lost by 29 runs, giving the co-hosts a berth in the final of the tournament.
Both countries have had many political tensions since separation in 1947 and have fought three wars for various reasons. Afridi feels that it was the Indian media which called the semi-final between the traditional rivals a war. It created uneasiness in
both sides of the border and the players of both the teams faced additional pressure.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s limited overs captain said that the Indian media is responsible for creating panic in both countries which damages the relationship.
Afridi said, “As far as Indian media is concerned, their approach is very negative. I believe their role has also been very dirty especially in terms of worsening ties between our two countries.”
The Pakistan captain, who holds the record of the fastest hundred ever scored in One Day International cricket, said that whenever both countries come close, it is the Indian media which destroys the relationship although the people of both countries want
peace.
India’s relations with Pakistan suffered a huge blow after the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 attacks of 2008. However, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gilani to see the all-important match with him in order to break the ice between
the two countries.
The Pakistan captain welcomed the dialogue between India and Pakistan as he feels that cricket is something which can be used for peace between the two countries.
“You can see how many times we have had friendship in 60 years and how many times relations got strained. I think it's a great sign for both countries and sports, especially cricket always brings these two countries together,” the Pakistan captain added.
It is expected that the cricketing relations between India and Pakistan will resume shortly as both the prime ministers agreed on bilateral sporting ties.
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