“While accepting the invitation of the Indian prime minister to witness the match, it was in my heart to be present on the occasion to express solidarity with the players of the cricket team,” Prime Minister Gilani said in a telephonic talk with Shahid Afridi.
The premier conveyed sentiments and prayers of the whole nation for the success of the team. Prime Minister Gilani’s morale booster telephonic conversation with Afridi came after the statement of Interior Minister Rehman Malik about ‘spot-fixing’ that was seen as ‘demoralisising’ and drew severe criticism from all segments of the society and cricket experts.
But Gilani’s call to the cricket team’s skipper was described by the cricket fans as a positive gesture to boost the morale of the national players. Prime Minister Gilani said irrespective of the result of the match, the team should demonstrate the best of sportsmanship and dedication to the contest. Shahid Afridi assured the premier that each member of the Pakistan cricket team would put in his best performance for a favourable result.
