Ajay Jadeja Refused To Take Money For His Services To Afghanistan During ODI World Cup, Says ACB CEO

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) CEO Naseeb Khan has revealed former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja refused to accept any payment for his services during the team's impressive run during last year's ODI World Cup in India.

Jadeja played a significant role as a mentor in Afghanistan's run in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they secured remarkable victories against former world champions England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Ajay Jadeja served as mentor for Afghanistan during ODI World Cup 2023

And as the Afghans continued to show their dominance in a World Cup during the T20 World Cup 2024, Khan said the ACB made several attempts to compensate Jadeja, but the former Indian cricketer turned down their offers each time.

"We insisted multiple times but Jadeja refused to take any money from the Afghanistan Cricket Board for his services during the 2023 ODI World Cup. His response was, 'If you play well, that's all the money and reward I need'," Khan was quoted as saying by Ariana News.

Jadeja was brought on board as a mentor just before the tournament started in India. Jonathan Trott, the head coach of Afghanistan during the World Cup, credited Jadeja for the team's outstanding performance, which helped them shed their 'minnows' tag.

Now, the Asian side has reached the Super 8 at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 in USA and the Caribbean, getting out of the group that included West Indies and New Zealand.

Following their achievement, Jadeja revealed the distinct intensity in matches between Pakistan and Afghanistan compared to those involving India and Pakistan.

"In the 50-over World Cup held in India, I closely observed the Afghan team. After their victory over Pakistan, the dressing room was in a celebratory mood, almost as if everyone was drunk without drinking," said Jadeja in an interview with former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif.

"Many people asked me how it felt after the match. I explained that if there's a tenfold rivalry in Pakistan-India matches, it's a hundredfold in Pakistan-Afghanistan games," he added.