NEW DELHI: Soon after Shahid Afridi tweeted on ‘Kashmir issue’, pitchingfor ‘self-determination’, the former Pakistan captain has been facing acriticism from Indian cricketers. From Gautam Gambhir to Suresh Raina,Virat Kohli to Kapil Dev – all took strong stands against his remarks andslammed the Pakistani cricketer.
However, the former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag – who is usually vocalon such issues – has not yet tweeted on this.
Shahid Afridi on Tuesday took to Twitter and posted, “Appalling andworrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Innocents beingshot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self -determination andindependence. Wonder where are the UN and other international bodies andwhy aren’t they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?”
The Pakistani cricketer tweeted for a second time saying, “We respect all.And this is an example of a sportsman. But when it comes to human rights weexpect the same for our innocent Kashmiris.”
His second tweet was probably in response to the Gautam Gambhir Tweet.
Check out how the Indian cricketers reacted to Afridi’s remarks:
*Gautam Gambhir -*
“What is there to say on Afridi’s tweet on our Kashmir and UN. Afridi isonly looking for UN which in his retarded dictionary means under nineteen -his age bracket. Afridi is celebrating a dismissal of a no ball,” theformer Kolkata Knight Riders captain tweeted.
*Virat Kohli -*
As an Indian you want to express what is best for your nation and myinterests are always for the benefit of our nation. If anything opposes it,I would never support it for sure. But having said that, it’s a verypersonal choice for someone to comment about certain issues. Unless I havetotal knowledge of the issues and the intricacies of it, I don’t engage init; but definitely, your priority stays with your nation.
*Suresh Raina -*
Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so always. Kashmir isthe pious land where my forefathers were born. I hope @SAfridiOfficial bhaiasks Pakistan Army to stop terrorism and proxy war in our Kashmir. We wantpeace, not bloodshed and violence.
*Kapil Dev -*
Who is he? Why are we giving importance to him? We should not be givingimportance to certain people.
This is not the first time that Afridi has raised the ‘issue of Kashmir’.During the World Twenty20 match against Australia in Mohali in March 2016,he had thanked ‘fans from Kashmir’ for supporting Pakistan.
“I want to thank people who came and supported us from Pakistan andKashmir,” he had said in the post-match presentation in Kolkata.
Afridi retired from international cricket in 2017 and played 27 Tests, 398ODIs and 98 T20Is for Pakistan. He also led his country during the ICCWorld Cup 2011.