In a statement carried Tuesday by cricket site pakpassion.net from London, Afridi said he was deeply hurt and angry the way the Pakistani players were treated at the auction, but he wants to treat the issue as closed.  “Over the last few days there has been intense media attention on the IPL auction in Pakistan and India. After my explanation, Insha Allah, the matter will be closed.

”After the IPL auction I was deeply hurt and angry. The way Pakistani players were treated was disrespectful and, in my view, wrong. Whose fault it was…..I don’t know. In times like these, as a Muslim, the examples of our Prophet has guided me and I’m therefore willing to forgive and forget what has happened and look forward,” said Afridi.

Afridi said there is much in common between India and Pakistan as they share much more than the differences and that they need to build their relations rather than break them.

”When you look at the great work that has been done by the 'Amaan Ki Asha' project of The Jang Group of Pakistan and The Times of India, we realise that is how we need to move forward. Sport should be used to build peace between our great nations, not break them.

“If I was invited to play in India again I would do so happily. They have great fans and great stadiums and I have many friends there. Although Pakistan and India have borders, these borders cannot divide humanity,” said Afridi who now wants to work for Aman Ki Asha.