Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, known for his explosive batting and outspoken views, has urged India to accept Pakistan’s offer of a "neutral umpire" to help resolve recent tensions in Kashmir — and to use cricket as a tool to revive relations between the two countries.
Pakistan has offered the help of a neutral umpire, and that should be considered to solve these recent incidents. Terrorists have no religion, nationality, or caste and should be punished — but without proof, you cannot lay allegations.
Afridi accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of manipulating the media narrative.
Modi has controlled Indian media, and within minutes of the attacks, their media started behaving like Bollywood, hurling allegations at Pakistan. They have hundreds of thousands of military personnel in Kashmir, and yet this happened.
India alleged Pakistani involvement in the deadly attacks at a tourist destination in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 28 lives. In response, New Delhi suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a move that threatens Pakistan’s water security. Pakistan, in turn, closed its airspace to Indian flights and warned that withholding Pakistan’s share of river water would amount to an act of war.
Amid this rising tension, Afridi reiterated the importance of keeping cricket separate from politics. "Do not mix politics and sports. This has been said for years now, so cricket should go on," Afridi insisted. "Even the Indian people and players want it to continue."
Afridi also claimed that former Indian cricketers were under pressure to publicly criticise Pakistan. "Former players do not want to speak against Pakistan, but they are being pressured to do so," he said.
Highlighting the inconsistency, Afridi pointed out: "Their kabaddi team comes to Pakistan, but the cricket team does not."
Afridi’s call reflects a long-standing belief among many former players and diplomats that cricket has historically served as a bridge in easing Indo-Pak tensions — and could do so once again.
