Pakistan's Afridi slams Indian media

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, whose team lost to India in the cricket World Cup, has delivered an astonishing tirade against Indian media for worsening political ties between the two great rivals.

In a Pakistani TV show aired on Sunday by private channel Samaa, a bitter Afridi was repeatedly applauded by the studio audience and praised Pakistan's media for being "a hundred times better".

"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," he said.

"If I have to tell the truth, Indians cannot have the kind of hearts that Pakistani Muslims have. They cannot have the big and clean hearts that Allah has given to Pakistanis."

His remarks cut across praise from the United States for so-called cricket diplomacy between India and Pakistan, whose leaders met for the semi-final that Afridi's side lost by a mere 29 runs.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani to watch the World Cup match between the two nations last Wednesday - the first time a top Pakistani leader visited since 2001.

Relations between the nuclear powers seriously deteriorated after the 2008 Mumbai attacks killed 166 people, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based Islamist extremists.

But while analysts said the cricket had given the nuclear-armed rivals a fresh impetus to continue a sustained dialogue, Afridi seemed less optimistic.

"It is very difficult for us to live with them or have a long-term relationship with them," he said. "You can see how many times we have had friendship in 60 years and how many times relations got strained."

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since the subcontinent was partitioned in 1947. In India, on the eve of the semi-final, Afridi had called himself an "ambassador for Pakistan, so I should know what to say."

"I think it's a great sign for both countries and sports, especially cricket always brings these two countries together," he added.

Afridi ready to tour West Indies

Pakistan's limited overs cricket captain Shahid Afridi has made himself available for the tour of West Indies after previously planning on missing the series.

"I had decided to skip the tour because I wanted to take a break from the game, but some former players and my family and friends told me to change my decision at this crucial time for Pakistan cricket," Afridi told Reuters on Monday.

Afridi, 31, who has played 320 one-day internationals, led Pakistan to the semi-finals of the recent World Cup where they lost to eventual winners India.

"One of the main reasons I wanted to take a break was because I wanted to be with my father who is not keeping well. But my father insisted that I carry on with the Pakistan team," Afridi said.

The seasoned all-rounder, who finished with 21 wickets in the tournament, said he wanted a break from cricket but the upcoming tour was an ideal opportunity to groom two or three new players.

"That is why I want to be part of the team on the coming tour and carry on the momentum we got from the World Cup," he said.

Afridi revealed the morale of the players was boosted by the warm welcome they received on returning from the World Cup hosted in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"It is an indication that Pakistan cricket is on the right track and on the coming tours to West Indies and Zimbabwe we can form an ideal one-day combination," he added.

The Pakistan team will play a Twenty20 match against West Indies on April 21, then five ODIs and two tests.
Afridi said that he had suggested to the Pakistan Cricket Board to look at having a permanent batting coach with the team and that he would discuss the tour with selectors in Lahore on Tuesday.

"Our biggest fear was about the batting in the World Cup and it came true in the semi-final. I think we need a batting coach to guide the batsmen," he said.

No Pakistani made the top 20 of the run scorers list at the tournament and the team were bowled out for 231 in the loss to rivals India, 30 runs short of victory.

Indications from the national selectors suggest they plan to rest some of the senior players for the limited over matches in the Caribbean and try out new players who have performed well in domestic cricket.

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