Shahid Afridi Provided A Pointed Retort To Gautam Gambhir’s Remark ‘Dosti Bahar Rehni Chahiye’
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Summary: Afridi strongly criticized Gambhir for commenting on players from India and Pakistan during their group-stage match in the Asia Cup.
Rain had the last word on Saturday night, disappointing the hopes of thousands at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy and those watching on television eagerly awaiting the first ODI match between India and Pakistan in four years. The second innings was abandoned due to rain after Pakistan dismissed both teams earning a point in 48.5 overs, resulting in both teams making a point each in the group-stage encounter.
While the players from both teams endured a rain delay after India’s batting, figures like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, and a few others were observed sharing moments of laughter. Despite the absence of a bilateral series between India and Pakistan since 2012 due to political tensions, the players maintain a strong bond and mutual respect. Therefore, fans took to social media to share their appreciation when such a heartwarming scene unfolded on Saturday.
Gautam Gambhir, a former opener for the Indian cricket team and a member of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad, expressed on Star Sports that when playing for the national team, it’s essential to prioritize the nation over friendship within the cricket field.
“When you step onto the field wearing your national colors, it’s crucial to keep your focus solely on the game. Your game face must be on, and friendships should remain outside the boundary ropes. There needs to be a fierce determination in the eyes of every player,” Gautam Gambhir emphasized.
“You can be as amicable as young want once those six or seven hours of cricket are over. However, those hours are immensely significant to you; you’re carrying the hopes of a nation with over a billion people.
“In recent times, you observe players from opposing teams patting each other on the back and sharing fist bumps during matches. Such camaraderie was far less common a few years back,” Gautam Gambhir added.
When questioned by Pakistani media about Gambhir’s reaction, the legendary Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi responded with a fiery comment, strongly criticizing the veteran Indian opener’s statements. Afridi emphasized that life extends beyond the cricket field and that as ambassadors of their respective nations, players should convey a message of mutual respect.
“That’s his perspective, I have a different viewpoint. As cricketers and ambassadors, we all have fans worldwide. It’s preferable to promote a message of love and respect. While there may be on-field aggression, there’s also life beyond the boundary,” he stated.
