Karachi: Pakistan T20 cricket team captain Shahid Afridi has landed in a legal soup over his casual remark that Pakistan's cricketers were loved more by Indians than by the fans across the border. The Lahore Hight Court has issued a show-cause notice against Afridi and has ordered him to clarify his statement within the next 15 days.
Advocate Azhar Siddiqui, who moved in the petition, has claimed that Afridi’s comments have hurt the sentiments of lakhs of Pakistani cricket fans.
Earlier today, former captain Javed Miandad lashed out at Afridi saying that players making such comments should be ashamed of themselves and that the comments praising India had “shocked and hurt” him.
Afridi and senior player Shoaib Malik had praised India after landing there for the World Twenty20, insisting that they have never felt threatened in the country even though their departure was delayed due to security concerns.
"We have always enjoyed playing in India and have been loved by Indian crowds more than crowds back home in Pakistan," Afridi had said.
Miandad said Pakistan had gone to India to play in the World T20 but it didn't mean that the players should pander to the hosts.
"What have the Indians given us? Speak the truth even while in India. For the last five years what have they given us or done with Pakistan cricket? Having served Pakistan cricket for so many years, I am shocked and hurt to hear such comments from our players," Miandad said.
Pakistan's former Test opener and chief coach Mohsin Khan also expressed his surprise over the comments from Afridi and Malik.
"They are senior players and should be careful while speaking to the media specially while touring India," Khan said.
(With PTI inputs)
