Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has once again grabbed the headlines with his controversial comments against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent visit to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
As expected, Afridi remarks met with severe backlash in India from all quarters. In fact, veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who extended help to Shahid Afridi Foundation in its fight COVID-19 last month, also hit back at the former Pakistan all-rounder.
"This is very upsetting what Shahid Afridi has come up with, talking ill about our country and our Prime Minister. This is just not acceptable," Harbhajan told India Today.
See Also: Gambhir slams Afridi for disrespecting Indian PM Modi and Wing Commander Abhinandan
The Turbanator said his support to Afridi’s charity foundation was a gesture to help the needy in this time of crisis.
“To be honest, he (Afridi) asked us to make an appeal for his charity. In good faith, we did it for humanity and for the people suffering due to the Coronavirus.”
Harbhajan further made it clear that Afridi has crossed his limit by speaking ill against India at PoK.
"Even our Prime Minister has said that Coronavirus is a fight that extends beyond borders, religions and caste. So we were very clear with the cause that we were promoting, which was simply to help those in crisis.
"But this man (Afridi) is talking ill about our country. All I have to say is we have nothing to do with Shahid Afridi. He has no right to speak ill against our country and he should stay in his country and limits," he stated.
Ever since Afridi's video surfaced on social media, many have been slamming Harbhajan and Yuvraj Singh for the help they extended to Afridi's foundation.
But the off-spinner remains unfazed by it. Harbhajan said he doesn't have to prove his loyalty to people on social media.
"I was born in this country and will die in this country. I have played for my country for over 20 years and have won many games for India. No one can say that I have done anything against my country.
"Today or tomorrow, if my country needs me anywhere, even if at the border, I will be the first one to pick up a gun for the sake of my country."
When asked about his relations with Afridi going ahead, Harbhajan Singh said it's a closed chapter now.
"One person asks me to make an appeal for the sake of humanity, and I did my bit. That was it. I have no relation or tie-up with any Shahid Afridi from here on," he concluded.
(Inputs from India Today)
