Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi enjoys a massive fan following across the border because of his swashbuckling style of batting and his affable relationship with the Indian cricketers. The 38-year-old recently became the talk of the town for sharing pleasantries with Indian captain Virat Kohli. He was also seen posing with the tricolor during the recently held Ice Cricket T20 tournament in Switzerland.
However, on Thursday (March 3) Afridi grabbed the headlines for his rather controversial remarks on social media. Afridi shared his views after Indian security forces killed 13 terrorists in three gunfights in Kashmir, in which three soldiers and a civilian also died.
Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, Afridi wrote: “Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren't they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?”
Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren't they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 3, 2018
Afridi’s statement certainly didn’t go down well among the Indian twitteratis as the comments section soon turned into a usual cross-border social media scuffle.
Here are some of the heated replies:
Just a Correction : it's a "Pakistan Occupying Kashmir" .. KASHMIR WAS, IS AND WILL BE A INTEGRAL PART OF INDIA ????????.
— Virat Kohli⏺️ (@imVkohi) April 3, 2018
Lala bhai Indian army is prepared to occupy POK, inshallah will do that very soon, till then pakistan may keep sending jihaadis , will keep sending them to 72 vergins ..
— Sumit kadel (@SumitkadeI) April 3, 2018
Being a respected man and cricketer you should not be too much indulged in political situation of other countries and focus on wellbeing of Pakistan!!!
— sunit shrivastava (@sunit_utd) April 3, 2018
Doesn't seems to be your comments, if they are then you must have been paid to do that. You better concentrate on #Cricket & #PSL only. That suits you & will be appreciated. Do you want to be reminded what is happening in #Pakistan . We don't need your shoulders to cry.
— Md Shafi Khatana (@MdShafiKhatana) April 3, 2018
India and Pakistan have not faced each other in a full bilateral series since 2007 and considering the current hostility in diplomatic ties, the bilateral series seems a distant dream right now.
Earlier last year, the BCCI had sought clearance from the Indian government to play a bilateral series with the arch-rivals. Amid all the tussle between both the countries at the LOC, the request was expectedly turned down by the BJP ruled Indian government.
