Cricket
The former Pakistan captain poses for pictures with the Indian flag during the Ice Cricket Tournament in Switzerland.
Updated : Feb 10, 2018, 05:05 PM IST
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has been a crowd favourite all through his career. His dynamic game style and personality has won him admirers all over the world.
During the St Moritz Ice Cricket Tournament in Switzerland, Afridi even managed to attract louder cheers than former India opener Virender Sehwag.
Apart from the fact that there were more Pakistani expats in the audience for the Ice Cricket tournament, what worked in Afridi's favour big time was a special gesture by him during the event.
When the 37-year-old was asked for a picture by some Indian fans, he insisted on them opening an Indian flag so that he could hold it and pose.
Shahid Afridi wants Indian flag to be open while clicking a photo with fans in switzerland. pic.twitter.com/vq88m8htpB
— Nibraz Ramzan (@Nibrazcricket) February 9, 2018
Afridi even posted pictures of himself holding the Indian flag on his official Twitter handle.
Thank u Switzerland pic.twitter.com/qANtR9LAwr
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) February 9, 2018
Twitterati was deeply touched by Afridi's goodwill gesture and couldn't stop raving about it.
Best One Lala pic.twitter.com/DNyR9EiBcV
— Anuradha (@AnuRadha9082) February 9, 2018
We need to promote peace. Cricket is the great tool for that and Shahid n Virat r loved on both sides.hope so with our same language,same culture ham bahiyoo ke tra rhen and as a great nbr... Respect for India
— Qamar Khan (@whisper775) February 9, 2018
Politicians never allow this to happen
— Anuradha (@AnuRadha9082) February 9, 2018
Plz promote peace btw ind-pak.We the people love each other cricketers,With same language,same language and soo much potential dont why we hav soo much time for hatred.Respect for India
— Qamar Khan (@whisper775) February 9, 2018
What A player & Great ambassador of Pakistan...
— Atiq UR Rehman (@AtiqURR21968919) February 9, 2018
Love love & only love
— Prachi Das (@PrachiNotDesai) February 9, 2018
Lala is the best#PakistanZindabad
— AESHA (@SweetAfridian) February 10, 2018
Afrdi recently reaffirmed his more than cordial relatioship with Indian captain Virat Kohli. On the sidelines of the Ice Cricket Tournament, Afridi said that his 'cordial relation' with India captain Kohli cannot and will not be defined by political situation.
"My relationship with Virat is not dictated by political situation. Virat is a fantastic human being and an ambassador of cricket for his country, just like I am for my country," said Afridi. "He (Kohli) has always shown a lot of respect and has even gone out of his way to present a signed jersey for my foundation (Shahid Afridi Foundation)," he added.
Afridi's foundation has been working in providing clean and safe drinking water for the economically weaker sections of society.
"There is a lot of warmth and fellow-feeling whenever I have spoken to Virat. It's not that we get a chance to speak a lot but from time to time, he would drop in a message and I would do the same. I congratulated him recently when I came to know the he was getting married.
"I believe as cricketers we can set examples of how relationship between individuals can be a template for relationship between countries. I think after Pakistan, the two countries where I have received most love and respect are India and Australia," said the former Pakistan skipper.
(Inputs frpm PTI)