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“You can see how many times we have had friendship in 60 years and how many times relations got strained.” —Photo by Reuters
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, whose team lost to India in the cricket World Cup, has delivered a tirade against Indian media for worsening political ties between the two great rivals.
In a Pakistani TV show aired Sunday by a private channel, a bitter Afridi was repeatedly applauded by the studio audience and praised Pakistan’s media for being “a hundred times better”.
“As far as Indian media is concerned, their approach is very negative. I believe their role has also been very dirty especially in terms of worsening ties between our two countries,” he said.
“If I have to tell the truth, Indians cannot have the kind of hearts that Pakistani Muslims have. They cannot have the big and clean hearts that Allah has given to Pakistanis.”
His remarks cut across praise from the United States for the cricket diplomacy between India and Pakistan, whose leaders met for the semi-final that Afridi’s side lost by a mere 29 runs.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani to watch the World Cup match between the two nations last Wednesday – the first time a top Pakistani leader visited since 2001.
But while analysts said the cricket had given the rivals a fresh impetus to continue a sustained dialogue, Afridi seemed less optimistic.
“It is very difficult for us to live with them or have a long-term relationship with them,” he said. “You can see how many times we have had friendship in 60 years and how many times relations got strained.”
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since the subcontinent was partitioned in 1947. In India, on the eve of the semi-final, Afridi had called himself an “ambassador for Pakistan, so I should know what to say.”
“I think it’s a great sign for both countries and sports, especially cricket always brings these two countries together,” he added.
As a Pakistani, I'd like to say that Afridi's comments were pretty sad….but would also like to remind the Indian brothers that this is exactly what Afridi meant when he said the media in our two countries is playing more of a divisive role than a uniting one…Afridi was provoked enough by the anchor on Samaa…but still that is no excuse for such comments!
I listened to this interview and it's very sad to see how the reporter has distorted the words. It seems like this newspaper also doesn't want peace between India and Pakistan.
This is what he was asked and what he replied:
How was the behavior of Indian "Team" with all of you?
Ans: "I can't hide and don't want to lie. No matter how much we try, they can't have the same friendly behavior". Note: He's only talking about the *team*, not the Indian nation. I think every sensible person can tell the difference in their behavior to each other by watching the match. Everything is live on screen! He's an honest man and he told about his experience with the players.
And the comment about "kind of heart" also refers to the "team" of both countries. He didn't even use the word "Muslims" at all!
Alas! the reporter has twisted Afridi's comments in a shrewd way. They just can't see that people's hearts are being connected and they have started respecting each other.
In an earlier interview outside his home, he's literally fighting with a journalist who said that we need different mindset when playing against Indian Team. He replied that why are you guys against India…he couldn't comprehend it (gave examples of similarity of culture). He also advised them not to have ill-feelings about India and Indians.
The media is trying to crush Pakistan Team's efforts and the huge response from across the border (which we are extremely grateful for and we Pakistanis feel honored). Please my respected readers, don't let the media win.
As expected his comments are not refuted by Pakistanis
Refute?? Infact I 100% agree with Afridi and please dont say iam a fundamentalist!!
He is deinitely right you know!!
The fact of the matter is that India and Indians have always been very negative as far as Pakistan is concerned and they have always done their best to malign our cricket and cricketers.
The sole reason being that they simply cant stomach being outplayed by Pakistanis.
Am sure lots of people cant forget that statement made by Indians re Sharjah being a show run by the Pakistanis for the Pakistanis when they kept on loosing there and then they walked away from that regular feature!!
Was it not sour grapes then??
We also havent forgotten the vandalism at the eden gardens by Indian crowd upon loosing to Sri Lankans in the 1987 world cup.
I would say it takes some guts to speak the truth so WELL DONE Afridi and we are proud of you.
Grow up Afridi.Such comments are only ruining pakistans image.
Afridi has insulted people of both countries. If Allah has given clean hearts to Pakistanis alone, could Afridi explain why so many cricketers indulge in match fixing? Just watch Afridi run across the border the moment he gets selected to play in the IPL. Then he will preach to the world that Indians have the biggest hearts.
I had huge respect for Afridi but lost all of them reading this article. It would have been fair if he would have said Indian Media is negative. But if he says Alimghty gave clean hearts to pakistanis and and a sordid one to Indians, it's unfortunate. Shahid u wont ever have the kind of respect Imran khan,wasim akram, shoaib and many others enjoy.
What is with this man, few days ago he gives a statement against Pakistanis that they are blinded by haterade for Indians and now blaming the other side. I don't think anyone should believe this man anymore. His talking style is same as his batting does not think. booo you mr Afridi.
Afridi is out of his mind or is passing a calculated comment to sustain in Pakistan as being Anti-India.
His comments are contradictory to what he said before. May be not able to digest the victory of Arch-rivals.
If Gambhir was mixing politics, then what is Afridi doing, isnt it same by mixing religion and politics and cricket together?
Mr. Afridi
1. Your comments in India and the onces now are completely opposite (except for the media part)
2. Bringing religion is the worst thing you have done
3. What do you expect Indian media to do. They were talking about Indian players and how they should defeat you
4. If Allah has created you he has created us also keep this in mind…. never doubt his creation and respect humanity. Allah never created any particular religion… its created by humans
God gives clean heart to everyone, it's the individual who makes it dirty.
Secondly i would request Mr afridi not to bring religion in india-pak politics. The number of muslims in india is approximately same as there are in pakistan.
What happened during the World cup Afridi, did something go wrong? Play for the nation properly, don't use your tricks. Anyhow you know pretty well people might behave with you badly for letting your nation down hence trying to patch up. It is quite natural.
Just not cricket Mr Afridi. Or perhaps the grapes are sour!
this shows the real wicked side of Afridi. What a turn around. How canyou live in peace…
What are you taking afridi . are u out of your mind.
Thanks for exposing your true self, Afridi. You lost all the respect from me which was highest in it class till I read this. You don't desrve to get the same level of respect that Imran, Akram and Shoaib have from Indian cricket fans. Don't dare to come to India as part of Pakistani cricket team, they won't like you.
Just when I thought he had matured after he said a lot of positive and sporty stuff even after losing, he does this. Pretty disappointing stuff. I do understand that the players are not diplomats but I do think whatever they say and do have a big impact on how the people in the two countries view each other. Very disappointed to see this.
An Indian who wants nothing but peace between India and Pakistan.
He said nothing but truth,i mean who could be more open heart then shahid afridi in cricket but even he is disappointed,so must be some thing he observed & experienced.
This statement proved Afridi's inability of handling pressure.It is showing how bad person he is.He has also exposed his country's attitude and character to rest of the world.Of course everybody in this world knows it very well.Shame to Afridi.U can't be a ambasaddar of cricket.
I am an Indian living in US. It's our politicians and religious leaders who do not want to see us getting along. I was born and raised in Ahmedabad and living in US currently. While growing up in Ahmedabad, I had developed a great dislikes towards Muslims due to several communal riots I had seen in my life time. Now I am living in US and have come across many Pakistanis while playing cricket and conducting business. After knowing them closely, my opinion towards them has changed. They are as friendly and kind hearted as us Indians are. After all we came from the same roots. People of both countries need get together and wage a war against religious and political extremists. Peace.
since 2005 not 2001 and don't know what should i say about this id……,
Afridi's comments are unfortunate, incorrect and downright childish. I am a regular visitor to India, and I must tell you that the Indians of all hue and colour I have met everywhere have been very friendly and hospitable to me. They have gone out of their way to assist me in times of my need. Shahid Afridi is a cricketer, not a politician. I am sure sane Pakistanis will not agree with his baselss comments. Indians are big hearted, I can assure you. .
Not a well thought about comment from Shahid Afridi, He forgot that India has the third largest Muslim population and the Indian team has 3 muslims. Not sure what he meant Allah has given clean heart to pakistanis.
I reckon he is true in some sense like indian media was unfair to him but very unfair remarks that indian people were unfair to Pakistani team and indians have not a big heart.These silly remarks will ruin our relationship and respect for pakistani cricket team.we love pakistan playing in india and as team we respect pakistan cricket team.
Very childish comments
Afridi comment is unwanted and unexpected from a person who claims to me an ambassador. This is a cheap talk from a Pakistan captain who lost all his sense after loosing to India. You guys are bad loosers.
Afridi saying all this to avoid the attack from poeple of Pakistan and pakistani media for pakistan team lost to India,
Sahid,
You are the captain of your national team. Just not an ordinary player. You must learn the art of out of arena attack, and must not forget that no body listens to a looser particularly when looser raises certain non cricketting isues as plea.
Best of luck for next time.
Afridi shown his real face. It is bad to bring religion and nation for controversial. I think, his comments are in bad taste, just to escape from Pakistan media and fans and cover-up his failure in Semifinal. Just one person can't judge a nation or its media. Let us work together for peace, progress and stability in our nation. we are expecting more from him, not just mere acting as ambassador .
seems unreal that this was the same man who landed in Pakistan and said he didnt back the enmity btwn our nations.
And mainly Referring to Indians as Hindus, is an insult to millions of indian muslims.
Afridi – We win some, we lose some. Both need to be accepted with grace and dignity. Stooping down to the level of any dirty politician will not deflect attention from your personal and team defeat. Instead, reflect on what needs to be done during the WI tour and future matches.
My concern is only one thing which is
I hope the PCB does something useful for our team with the money they get. We have a great team of bowlers but alone the bowlers can not lead the team to victory always.
The Pakistan team needs a batting coach to make our batting stronger which will make the team unbeatable and the Pakistan team will be like a group of tigers just like our team in 92 who faught like tigers!!
Please lets all of us urge the PCB to get a high class batting coach for the team.
Afridi, should refrain from making such crude remarks — he should play cricket and not be a diplomat. It is true that Indian media is horrible and grossly misleads and misinforms their own people. It fans negative sentiment and further distances the two people. But while we have ways to deal with them, Afridi should just focus on cricket. Leave the war of words to others.