Yuvraj digs at Pakistan’s ‘large-heartedness’
“India would not have gone to the final had it not been for Pakistan's large-heartedness!” -Photo by Reuters
NEW DELHI: Indian cricket stars Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh have hit out at Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi for his comments that Indians do not have “big clean hearts” like Pakistani Muslims.
Afridi also praised Pakistan’s media for being “100 times better” than India’s in a Pakistani TV show aired Sunday that has caused hurt and anger across the border in India.
“If Indians were not large-hearted, they would not have made so much of progress and delivered growth,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.
“I think it’s been an uncalled for reaction. It wouldn’t help the love and respect with which he is treated in this country.”
India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in a much-hyped semi-final attended by the leaders of both countries before beating Sri Lanka in Mumbai last week to regain the World Cup after 28 years.
“Pakistanis indeed have very large hearts which is evident by their generous gesture of dropping so many catches against India during the semi-final clash,” Yuvraj, named man of the tournament, told The Times of India.
“India would not have gone to the final had it not been for Pakistan’s large-heartedness!”
Pakistan dropped four catches of Sachin Tendulkar who went on to make a vital 85 and fashion India’s 29-run win over their rivals.
Afridi insisted later that his remarks had been taken out of context, although he stood by his comments about the Indian media.
His remarks shocked fans in India, who had greeted his efforts during the World Cup to promote harmony between the estranged neighbours whose diplomatic relations are fraught with tension.
I request u to stop acting like kids and understand the order of the day which wants an end towards enmity and a new start towards progress..i am sure there are several important national and regional issues waiting to be addressed by Pakistanis and Indians for making Asia strong and prosperous.
Why now Afridi wants to play in IPL? Just cant get! it we Indians are small hearted ppl Mr Afridi….
Gone with the Wind. Whatever goodwill he earned during one month vapourised in to thin air within seconds due to his loose talk. He has shown his true colours. Dont get mesmerised by the words of any celebrities which are not intellect. And my friends, Afridi's voice is not the voice of every pakistani.
ok.. let me get this straight! For the Pakistanis who are taking Yuvraj seriously, please guys.. hands on ur heart.. can you say with confidence that had pakistan taken their chances and India managed only 200, Pakistan was sure shot to chase that? I think not.. The Pakistani batting is so brittle that it just wilts under pressure and the much derided India's bowling maintained pressure till the very end.. bowled superbly..
Now on to Mr. Afridi.. I think he had no business making those comments.. I dont think Gambhir was out of line in dedicating the victory to Mumbai victims since it was a huge tragedy for us. That is not saying anything against Pakistan.. Even Tendulkar dedicated the famous test win against England right after the attacks to Mumbai victims.. Doesn't mean to say that it was a tirade against Pakistan.. !!
The truth is India and Indian fans treated Pakistani players like superstars, and yet Afridi after losing let people down by making such anti-India and anti-Hindu comments. Where is the gratitude and sportsmanship, Mr. Afridi? The whole world knows what kind of treatment Sri Lankans got when they were in Paksitan, they were lucky to go back alive. I hope IPL does not take Afridi back, he is untrustworthy character, and his "big heart" is not clean.