Afridi slams Australia over cancellation of Bangladesh tour
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KARACHI: Pakistan's T20 skipper Shahid Afridi criticised Australia's decision to call off their Bangladesh tour citing terrorism fears, saying Monday that while security was paramount tours should “not be cancelled over minor issues”.
Australia scrapped its two-Test tour of Bangladesh last week after official warnings militants may attack Western interests.
The head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board Nazmul Hassan said measures to tighten security should have satisfied any safety concerns, telling reporters in Dhaka that while many countries face such terror threats, “it never stops cricket”.
Afridi echoed that statement on the sidelines of a visit in Karachi to meet Pakistan and Bangladesh's women's teams.
“Security is paramount but tours should not get cancelled over minor issues,” he told reporters.
“Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka should show some unity and counter these security fears as we have suffered a lot with international teams not coming to Pakistan,” said Afridi.
International cricket was suspended in Pakistan after a deadly 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore.
But the country hosted its first Test-playing nation in six years in May, when Zimbabwe toured for a short limited-over series, raising hopes that bigger teams might also come to Pakistan again.
Afridi said Bangladesh's decision to send their women's team was a good sign.
“Our country is going through a difficult phase but cricket will be revived through the efforts of Pakistan Cricket Board and we should thank the Bangladesh government for sending their women's team,” he said.
“I am sure this is the first good step before sending Bangladesh men's team.”
The all-rounder appeared to have charmed the Bangladeshi players, with many posing for selfies with him.
“It's nice to see women playing good cricket and I congratulate both the teams for their competitive style,” said Afridi.
Former Bangladesh opener Athar Ali Khan said Afridi's visit had been “great encouragement” for the women's teams.
“It will go a long way in raising their performance in the last match,” said Khan, who played 19 one-day internationals for Bangladesh.
Pakistan beat Bangladesh in both T20 matches, and lead the two-match one-day series 1-0. The last match is on Tuesday in Karachi.
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Comments (72) Closed
Oct 05, 2015 06:31pm
waiting for comments from Bangladeshi people, as day before yesterday they were shredding apart us for this tour cancellation.
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Oct 05, 2015 06:34pm
Wow! Good gesture by Afridi
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Oct 05, 2015 06:37pm
Great diplomacy from Shahid Afridi! He has a lot of fans in our brotherly country of Bangladesh. Let love conquer all hate!
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Oct 05, 2015 06:39pm
Let Afridi not be the judge and try to evaluate risk for the live of members of the Australia Team. They value their lives differently from people from the sub-continent.
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Oct 05, 2015 06:40pm
Afridi has no sense of security. Killing two foreigners is a minor issue?
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Oct 05, 2015 06:40pm
Wow lala. You contradict yourself. If scurity is paramount then how is it a minor issue.
No one is going to risk their lives for a game.
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Oct 05, 2015 06:41pm
Now Afridi will be "miraculously" reported for illegal action.
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Oct 05, 2015 06:43pm
Afridi will get notice from PCB. As a contractors player you are not supposed to be engaged in this kind of behavior. focus on game.
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Oct 05, 2015 06:45pm
Good on you Afridi but you want India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to stand up togather. Wishful thinking. Well you can take India out of the equation as they are now part of big 3 and they will never ever support Pakistan cricket.
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Oct 05, 2015 06:45pm
Lala, we in the sub-continent don't value life. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh...we treat our citizens worse than animals. For Australians it's a big thing if there is danger to any citizen. Their ethos is different.
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Oct 05, 2015 06:47pm
@Vorshal
I believe Afridi should not get into this area.
Leave this for the Board.
Just try and get runs.
Let the bat do your talking.
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Oct 05, 2015 06:48pm
well said Afridi
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Oct 05, 2015 06:51pm
@Lafanga Recently an Italian was killed in Bangladesh,ISIS took responsibility, Obviously Australians has every right to think for their players security.
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Oct 05, 2015 07:01pm
Well done King Afridi.
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Oct 05, 2015 07:04pm
If India and only India speaks for Pakistan, Bangladesh, Shrilanka, then foreign countries will surely come here.
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Oct 05, 2015 07:15pm
Let us start Playing Cricket in NWFP to popularize the Cricket.
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Oct 05, 2015 07:24pm
@Vorshal there was killing of a Muslim in India would that stop touring any other country to India...this shows your hatred towards the Muslims and the subcontinent.
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Oct 05, 2015 07:41pm
Why is he trying to defend them, none of our concern, nobody comes in for us. Do not worry Afridi big brother will come to their help.
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Oct 05, 2015 07:43pm
I agree with Afridi's suggestion that Pak, Srilanka, BD., Zim, West Indies, Afg. , Ireland, etc. should play more series and should not wait for NZ, Eng, Aus and India.
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Oct 05, 2015 07:45pm
Good gesture by Afridi for BD
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Oct 05, 2015 07:45pm
I appreciate Afridi's statement over Bangladesh.
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Oct 05, 2015 07:51pm
Let's figure At first out and assume why Afridi has given the statement over Bangladesh......
1) He has the biz interest in Dhaka
2) He has numerous fans in BD
3) BPL is about to start and wants warm welcome in spite of having inconsistent performances.
However, he should deserve gratitude and we should all be ONE MOUTH while there is threat in sub con cricket.
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Oct 05, 2015 07:52pm
He has not read ISIS news in Bangladesh
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Oct 05, 2015 07:53pm
Don't be a judge for others. Only a day before a Japanese man was shot dead in Dhaka . Everybody is concerned for their safety.
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Oct 05, 2015 08:11pm
Hahaha... Most overrated player...
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Oct 05, 2015 08:14pm
Australians always reconsider before touring any sub continent country, with the exception of India.
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Oct 05, 2015 08:16pm
Bangladesh people were supportive to Pakistan team when they played in the Asia cup...so much so that PM Haseena have to ban the carrying of Pakistani flags by local fans, talking about neutral matches when Pakistan didn't played Bangladesh.
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Oct 05, 2015 08:33pm
who wants to risk life and limb for a game ? No one in senses .
Did the Sri Lankans come back to play? . In india all can forgo cricket as it's only a game for most and betting area for a few .
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Oct 05, 2015 08:36pm
Pakistan missed/ missing the trick by playing Pakistan T20 tournament in UAE which shows to international team that there are security concerns in Pakistan. It would have been much easier for Pakistan to bring few international players in their T20 tournament instead of bringing international team.
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Oct 05, 2015 08:42pm
Keep it up Australia don't go their
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Oct 05, 2015 08:52pm
In Australia there is a recent terrors attack and for instance in america where a loner opened fire on public so should the whole world boycott America and Australia with their sporting bans ? no sports and normal day to day life should go ahead because these retards or loners cannot defeat people who like to live in pace and harmony anyone encourage sporting bans and other positive things are the biggest losers themselves for instance India
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Oct 05, 2015 08:55pm
The man is completly desaster...how is he support the Bangaladesh which is supporting India, cancel Pakistan Tour twice...
I am just waiting for the time when everyone will stop going BD.
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Oct 05, 2015 09:04pm
Security measures should be revisited for the last women match. Agencies should always be one step ahead then the terrorists thinking. Any mishap will not only be fatal for human lives but will also kill any chances of cricket revival in the country.
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Oct 05, 2015 09:15pm
useless! why he supposed to talk about such things.... first to understand if Bangladesh having security problems while coming or touring to Pakistan so how Australia is not having any problem visiting to them. please calm down and play cricket.
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Oct 05, 2015 09:17pm
I didn't expect from Afridi. Don't defend BD, they ditched us. Great Pakistan won the series. Pakistan Zindabad!
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Oct 05, 2015 09:26pm
BD people, are you listening Afridi. You should be ashamed of ditching Pakistan and thinking that Big 3 will support you.
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Oct 05, 2015 09:35pm
Afridi could have politely cautioned Australia. This type of language is only going to make matters worse. Is he coming from Ummah perspective? Because BD has not been very friendly to our concerns.
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Oct 05, 2015 09:35pm
Remove Indian power from ICC and things will be back to normal or those days are not far away where international cricket will disappear and only T20 leagues will stay alive.
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Oct 05, 2015 09:45pm
This is not Afridi turf to put comments on Australian decision, though his feelings are well understood. Australian team is getting information from their State Department about situation in Bangladesh. The ruling party is using all kind of force to kill and lock everyone in opposition party; there is no security and protection for people; Action by Australian Cricket team is to value their lives and is a warning to Bangladesh to respect the public institutions and lives of people of Bangladesh. Ruling party is doing things to keep India happy, but such un-democratic acts are sign of weakness and desperation. Similar token Bangladesh Government ban their cricket team to visit Pakistan; it’s no surprise that their women team is having a fun time in Pakistan, though victory or defeat is part of game.
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Oct 05, 2015 09:57pm
we Pakistanis stand by all our oportunistic neighbours.
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Oct 05, 2015 09:58pm
@Pakistani tujhe salam @Vorshal there was killing of a Muslim in India would that stop touring any other country to India...this shows your hatred towards the Muslims and the subcontinent
u miss the point, they are not worried if muslim or hindus kill each other, its the white they rae worried
there were 2 foreigner killed in bangaldesh and claimed by isis, so they are worried, bec if it was truly isis they would love to target Australian bec austrlia support usa in Syria against isis
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Oct 05, 2015 10:06pm
Since when has Afridi become an expert in security of players? To some people one's life is more than a game and buck.
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Oct 05, 2015 10:34pm
@Pakistani tujhe salam There is a BIG difference between killing of a local and killing of a foreigner together with the reason. one local religious issue with a neighbor and the other ISIS targeting random foreigners.
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Oct 05, 2015 10:35pm
Afridi should not interfere period.
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Oct 05, 2015 10:37pm
I m sorry Shahid. Security isn't a 'minor' issue. And even if the murders of two foreigners wasn't symptomatic of a larger anti foreigner bent among Islamic terrorists operating in Bangladesh, perception of security threat is as big a problem as the actual threat itself. I don't blame Aussies at all. They don't understand our cultures, and thus have every right to take a call according to their own analysis.
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Oct 05, 2015 11:10pm
Personal security is minor issue in Pakistan, but Western countries take their security very seriously. For them blasts at Mosques, Marriages, School and Funeral is not a minor issue.
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Oct 05, 2015 11:34pm
This guy is on the right route to achieve a PCB membership upon his retirement or a political career.
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Oct 05, 2015 11:55pm
@Adam Ironically, whether I am rational or not, western countries' wars are very much responsible for breeding terrorism, the idea of a mosque blast was alien before 9/11, however, It is a new world altogether afterwards. Life is a life whether in west or third world countries like ours.
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Oct 06, 2015 12:01am
Anyway, the real issue is the eradication of terrorism, sport or such leisure pursuits come afterwards, terrorism is not just in the form of a blast at a mosque etc., random incidents involving violence are also terrorism, from which even US is not immune. So I guess credit must be given to Pakistani cricketers who never complain of any country's situation and even are willing to tour India where there have been incidents of players being attacked at the very cricket stadium. Some sort of double standard it is
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Oct 06, 2015 12:43am
Afridi this is Australia's choice they care for their people. If they don't feel safe their choice should be respected. Let's improve our security situation unlike Indian the chance are very good that Australia and other nations will pay cricket in Pakistan and Bangladesh if we improve our security situation. They way things are looking first it was Pakistan now Bangladesh and India is next on the list. We all have to understand security comes first and politics later.
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Oct 06, 2015 01:54am
@Naim Chowdhury We have seen the back stabbers. In Pakistani Cricket fans' opinion, the only team in South Asia Pakistan should support is Sri Lanka, while the other two can be cut lose for good. As for Sri lanka Pakistan will continue supporting them and their cricket, they proved their commitment in time of Pakistan's need, unlike other two.
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Oct 06, 2015 02:01am
This is not a minor issue at all.
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Oct 06, 2015 02:12am
Let me remind all our indigenous Asian breathren, during the 80s the IRA (terrorist group) had declared a campaign of terror on the UK. Indiscriminately planting bombs in public places, some with a warning and other times not...
During this time all teams visited the UK, as it was solidarity in the face of terror. Now that the lesser race of Asians are suffering a similar fate.... most tours are scrapped on a slight whim irrespective of we are partners in a coalition war.
Also let me highlight, though the IRA never targeted foreign visitors the threat was still real as shopping complexes and pubs were targeted....
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Oct 06, 2015 02:28am
Two of the BIG THREE have already backed out from their commitments and this is only the beginning.
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Oct 06, 2015 02:31am
@VORSHAL Afte what Indian fans did in today's game, I am not sure if India is safe for foreign cricketers. One can clearly see the stereotyping of Pak and now BD but will ignore the Indian violent acts cox they get paid more. - Cricket has become far less of a gentleman game it used to be.
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Oct 06, 2015 03:20am
Dear afridi...you will do the same if your life was in danger!
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Oct 06, 2015 03:31am
Afridi should worry more about Pakistan than bangladesh...where was this anger when Australia refused to play here.
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Oct 06, 2015 03:32am
@A common pakistani Australians visited india after multiple bombings in Delhi....
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Oct 06, 2015 05:40am
Killing of innocent human being is not a small incident.
Time to take this menace seriously.
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Oct 06, 2015 05:59am
As a player he needs to focus on his game, not on giving his views on political or security situation.
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Oct 06, 2015 06:51am
@Vorshal -totally agree, SA is not a good thinker?
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Oct 06, 2015 06:51am
@Faisal - but sadly he pokes his nose, not smart?
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Oct 06, 2015 06:53am
@Ahmed Kashif Saeed - does he wants to apply for BD coach job?
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Oct 06, 2015 06:53am
@Riya - Totally agree, not smart at all.
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Oct 06, 2015 07:01am
Silly comments by Afridi as usual. The point i s to fix the problems in the country before inviting people over for games and such. The fact is that Pakistanis dont want to fix their own problems but expect everyone else to adjust to them even if their lives are at stake. This approach is not going to fly.
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Oct 06, 2015 07:07am
It's a noble gesture from a great man like Afridi. He's equally popular in BD too. However, in any given/changed situation cricket should be continued. Yesterday we have seen that there was a big law and order situation in Cuttack stadium in India; the T20I match between India and SA were suspended for a long while, but last of all it's been arranged with tightening the security.
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Oct 06, 2015 02:21pm
@Akil Akhtar did I say anything different?
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Oct 06, 2015 03:07pm
Afridi is right and deserves praise. We should support bangla friends in this hour as we have experienced such situation ourselves and it is very painful. Pakistan should send their A team for a short tour to Bangladesh as a symbol of solidarity with our brothers there. We do not get the same sympathy from our Bangla friends but we should be more generous as after all they are our brotherly muslim country and at one point we belonged to the same country.
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Oct 06, 2015 03:08pm
@Vorshal What a stupid argument. human life is precious whether it is a European or Asian black or white.
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Oct 06, 2015 04:15pm
When top level security was assured,what more those Teams can expect.The other day 15 year old boy was shot at by panicky Australian Police.Murder is a daily incident in South Africa.Two months back SA national team played a number of matches in Bangladesh.Only two unfortunate incidents caused them so panicky.Is it a manifestation of cowardice or renege!They providing encouragement to terrorists.Here ICC is an onlooker only.
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Oct 06, 2015 07:23pm
So Afridi feels Terror threat is a minor issue??
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Oct 06, 2015 08:32pm
Reflects a balanced mental state. Thanks great cricketer Afridi from Bangladesh.
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