Shahid Afridi under fire for 'more loved in India' comment
As cricketers, we love playing in India because of the love we get here, said Afridi.
LAHORE (Web Desk) – Pakistanis on social media websites bashed Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi after his recent press conference in Kolkata in which he stated that "we are more loved here than in Pakistan."
India switched the venue for the March 19 showdown from the northern hill station of Dharamsala to Kolkata after Pakistan’s concerns over threats from Hindu extremists and warnings of street protests.
Holding press conference in Kolkata, Afridi brushed off concerns over security for his team at the World T20, saying he was looking forward to playing in front of India’s raucous crowds.
Despite being confident of his team’s chances, Afridi said India were playing "very good cricket" at the moment and would be tough to beat in front of their home crowds.
"We have always enjoyed playing in India and have been loved by Indian crowds more than crowds back home in Pakistan. We are cricketers and not politicians," he added.
The statements sparked unease among the cricket lovers in Pakistan who took to Twitter and criticized the captain.
State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali has also tweeted, denouncing skipper’s statement and said he is confident that Afridi will easily hand Indians the win.
I am sure because he hand them a easy win !!!! https://t.co/F45Ug2SHKB
— AbidSherAli (@AbidSherAli) March 14, 2016
Shahid Afridi: gets a pass when acting selfishly, critiqued when he tries to be an ambassador for the nation
— Fasi Zaka (@fasi_zaka) March 14, 2016
The biggest problem of Shahid Afridi, he don t know What to Speak and
— Umar Nawaz Atal (@Umar_Nawaz_Atal) March 14, 2016
When to Speak. He has no control
over emotions
Shahid Afridi aur aqal ki apas mein shadeed dushmani hey :)
— Saad Khan ! (@SaadKhan711) March 14, 2016
Now i understood why Shahid Afridi gets more love in india pic.twitter.com/No6rzoqJfU
— Ali Imran (@aliimranqadri) March 14, 2016
Shahid Afridi: "I get more love from India, than I do from Pakistan."
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) March 14, 2016
Shoaib Malik: "Me too, bro."
I am #shahid afridi and i know only one thing how to advertising perfectly
— Zeeshan (@zeeshan43427813) March 13, 2016
Boom boom bubble gum khelna bula do
Lakh lakh ddddddddsddddddsd
On the other hand, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in their warm-up game today (Monday) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata ahead of the start of main stage of ICC World T20.
The match will start at 2:30pm PST.
Earlier, Pakistani cricket team landed at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Saturday evening and on Sunday morning they participated in a training session at the Eden Gardens amid tight security.
Pakistani players are due to face Bangladesh in Super 10 Group 2 on March 16 and India on March 19.
The other two group matches will be played at Mohali. Pakistan will play against New Zealand on March 22 and against Australia on March 25.
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