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Shahid Khan Afridi, also known as Boom Boom and Lala, across the world, is the former captain of the Pakistan cricket team. Serving the national team of his country all his life, Afridi has become more than just a cricketer, today, he is a complete brand in himself.
With a huge following across the world, namely his 1 million followers on Twitter, all have supported him throughout his career. Shahid Afridi is not just a celebrity and cricketer, but also a philanthropist who runs the Shahid Afridi Foundation.
After the constant skirmishes between Kashmiri youth and the Indian military, Shahid Khan Afridi took to Twitter and presented his views in a usually unorthodox manner. He was vocal on his opinion towards the plight of the Kashmiris and their rights. This is what he tweeted:
Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren’t they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 3, 2018
Shahid Afridi’s tweet on the atrocities being committed in Kashmir and the meek character of the UN became food for his haters, especially those across the border. Afridi, who once hit the fastest century against India, had now become the villain for pointing out the obvious.
As always, it was the Indian media which first highlighted the issue and spent hours of airtime in slating the former Pakistan captain on his honest opinions. Many claimed that it was a direct insult to India and that an answer needed to be given. However, it was the Indian Twitterati that felt the tweet more than anyone else.
Indian cricketer and remarkable batsman, Gautam Gambhir, who has never really been fond of Afridi, saw this as an opportunity to get retweets and make a name for himself, after his spiraling career.
Media called me for reaction on @SAfridiOfficial tweet on OUR Kashmir & @UN. What’s there to say? Afridi is only looking for @UN which in his retarded dictionary means “UNDER NINTEEN” his age bracket. Media can relax, @SAfridiOfficial is celebrating a dismissal off a no- ball!!!
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) April 3, 2018
After Gambhir’s tweet, it was all of India against one Shahid Khan Afridi. One by one, they started tweeting against the cricketer and Pakistan, trying to justify what is happening in Kashmir:
Hello Libbies
Do see, even Pakistan’s cricketers are working against India’s sovereignty, using Kashmir to peddle their propaganda
So, this whole narrative that fun & games & movies have nothing to do with foreign policy is plain hogwash
Non-state actors play vital roles too! https://t.co/3hscP5FZqn
— Amrita Bhinder (@amritabhinder) April 3, 2018
Hello Libbies
Do see, even Pakistan’s cricketers are working against India’s sovereignty, using Kashmir to peddle their propaganda
So, this whole narrative that fun & games & movies have nothing to do with foreign policy is plain hogwash
Non-state actors play vital roles too! https://t.co/3hscP5FZqn
— Amrita Bhinder (@amritabhinder) April 3, 2018
Do they have TV ??
Electricity ??
How will they know ??
???— ??Kumod Jha? (@Kkjh74) April 3, 2018
He is not a respected man. He faked his age in cricket, faked his love for his country. Cribbed like a begger for not allowing pakis in IPL.
— Sivanand (@akellasiva) April 4, 2018
Not many Indians would be aware of Shahid Afridi’s terrorist cousin, Saquib, who was killed by the BSF in Anantnag, Kashmir, back in 2003. He was from Peshawar and had crossed over to India after joining terrorist ranks. No wonder, Afridi has a soft corner for terrorists.
— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) April 3, 2018
