T20 World Cup -- Shahid Afridi Has Tried to Win Eden's Heart: Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar feels Shahid Afridi's comments in Kolkata that "he was much loved in India than Pakistan" was probably to win Eden's heart before the explosive T20 World Cup game against India on March 19.
Shahid Afridi has found himself in the middle of a red-hot controversy after his comment -- "Pakistan were more loved in India than at home" -- was slammed by former great Javed Miandad. Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar felt it was "nice way" to win the heart of the crowd at Eden Gardens.
India and Pakistan clash in a T20 World Cup match in Kolkata on March 19. India have never lost to Pakistan in an ICC World Cup event and Pakistan have a good record in Kolkata.
In an interview to NDTV on Monday, Gavaskar said Afridi's comments were probably a smart way to take the Kolkata crowd on his side.
"Emotions run high before an India-Pakistan match. What Shahid said was a good way to say nice things about Indian public. The crowd at Eden will not be hostile towards Pakistan. This is a fine way to win the Eden crowd. Having played in the IPL, he may mean what he said," Gavaskar said. (High Court Should Issue Notice to Afridi For 'Getting More Love in India' Comment, Says Petitioner)
Having played against the explosive Miandad, Gavaskar said the former skipper "always had a Pakistan flag tucked away in his heart" and gave his "200 per cent against India." Gavaskar was not surprised that Miandad was unhappy with Afridi's comments.
Former Australian batsman and NDTV expert Dean Jones felt that Pakistan needed to focus on their cricket and all this verbal tirade should not distract them.
"They have a lot of work to do in the middle," said Jones, hinting at Pakistan's string on poor performances in recent times.