Sports
Shahid Afridi Faces Firestorm Over Pahalgam Terror Attack Remarks
Islamabad, April 28 – Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has sparked outrage with comments on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 tourists in Jammu & Kashmir. His remarks blaming India’s security forces and rejecting Pakistan’s involvement have drawn sharp condemnation.
What Did Afridi Say?
- Context: Afridi spoke on a Pakistani TV channel about rising India-Pakistan tensions post-Pahalgam.
- Key Quote: “You have an 800,000-strong army in Kashmir, and this happened. It means you’re incompetent, useless.”
- Claim: India accuses Pakistan without evidence, while its own defenses failed.
Immediate Fallout
- Indian Cricket Board: No formal recognition for Afridi; future invitations to India events unlikely.
- Indian Figures:
- Virender Sehwag: “Afridi’s words shame cricket’s spirit.”
- Ashoke Pandit, filmmaker: “His denial proves Pakistan’s guilt.”
- Pakistani Voices: Journalist Mubashir Zaidi slams remarks as “reckless.”
Afridi’s History of Controversies
| Year | Incident |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Called Kashmir “Indian-occupied,” criticized by Indian players. |
| 2020 | Mocked India’s leadership in a speech. |
| 2024 | Urged cricket ties despite tournament disputes. |
Political Reactions
- India: Foreign ministry condemns “inflammatory rhetoric.”
- Pakistan: Foreign office calls it Afridi’s “personal opinion.”
Impact on Cricket Diplomacy
- Asia Cup 2025: Set for UAE; no plans to shift to Pakistan.
- IPL 2026: Pakistani players absent since 2008, likely to continue.
Public Sentiment (Social Media)
- X Trends: #ShameOnAfridi surges with 150,000 posts, blasting Afridi’s “firecracker” jibe.
- Memes: Poke fun at his 1999 fastest century claim.
Afridi’s remarks, dismissing a tragedy that claimed 26 lives, have fueled India-Pakistan tensions. His words threaten to strain cricket ties further.
