Champion's Trophy
Afridi: Kohli’s participation in Pakistan will strengthen cricketing relations
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Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi believes that if Virat Kohli visits Pakistan, he will forget the love and affection he has received in India.
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2013. Last year, Pakistan visited India for the 50-over World Cup. There was an expectation for India to tour Pakistan in return for an extended period, however, there was unwillingness of the board to travel to Pakistan.
In the midst of reports that India has decided not to travel to Pakistan for next year's Champions Trophy, Afridi insisted Indian team to visit Pakistan for the upcoming prestigious tournament.
"I welcome the Indian team (in Pakistan) and they should come. We've always received huge respect and love in our tours of India. In the same way, the Indian team also received love and respect during their tour in 2005. Cricket tours should be kept aside from politics. There is no big politics than India and Pakistan playing against each other in their countries," said Afridi.
"Virat will forget the love he has received in India when he would play in Pakistan. He has a huge craze in Pakistan and our people like him very much. In fact, he is my favourite player. He has his own class and he shouldn't have retired from T20Is as because of him T20I looked beautiful," he added.