Shah Rukh Khan wants to hold three-match KKR-Zalmi series: Javed Afridi

Franchise owner confirms that venue will be decided once both governments will give a go ahead for proposed series

KARACHI: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has suggested organising a three-match series between the champions of the Pakistan Super League's (PSL) second edition Peshawar Zalmi and Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at a neutral venue, according to Zalmi’s CEO Javed Afridi.

Knight Riders’ co-owner Shah Rukh, whose team has won the IPL title twice, congratulated Zalmi owner Afridi and suggested a three-match series at a neutral venue.

The venue of the match will be decided once the governments of both countries give their go-ahead for the proposed series. While confirming Shah Rukh's offer, Afridi revealed both team owners will talk to their respective governments regarding the series.

“Shah Rukh has asked me to talk to the Pakistani government and he will talk to the Indian government himself,” he said.

He also confirmed that he has received congratulatory messages from Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Bollywood actors Sanjay Kapoor and Gulshan Grover.

However, hours after his statement,  Afridi backtracked and said “there is no truth” in the reports and they are mere ‘speculations’.

We always welcome cricket for peace ,but there is no truth about @KKRiders & @PeshawarZalmi matches just speculations.Verily respect for 🏏

— Javed Afridi (@JAfridi10) March 9, 2017

Earlier, President Ghani invited the Zalmi team to Kabul, which was accepted by the franchise, and they will be traveling to Afghanistan’s capital in the summer this year with all the big names including Shahid Afridi.

Zalmi’s CEO further added that his franchise is trying to bring peace in the region, and is hoping that the visit to Kabul and a series against KKR can prove to be a major step towards achieving the goal.

“The Kabul visit can play a role to bring peace between Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he added. “And if the series against KKR materialises, I am sure it can help in improving relations between two countries as well.”