Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has recently won some Indian hearts after asking an Indian supporter to straighten her national flag when posing for a picture.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has recently won some Indian hearts after asking an Indian supporter to straighten her national flag when posing for a picture.
When the 37-year-old was asked for a picture by an Indian fan during the St Moritz Ice Cricket Tournament in Switzerland, , he insisted on opening an Indian flag so that he could hold it and pose.
The video and picture of the former Pakistan captain posing with Indian tri-colour went viral.
Now the cricketer has explained the motive of him doing so and the answer is simple- respect.
"We should respect the flags of other nations and that's why I asked them to hold their flag in a proper way," Afridi told newsmen in Karachi on Monday according to Pakistan's Dawn. "I also wanted them to have a better picture."
He also talked about the future of Pakistan-India cricket ties. According to the report, Afridi insisted that the diplomatic problems between the two neighbours had little impact on the friendship the players from both the countries enjoy.
"The cricketers of both the nations want to play for the betterment of relations between the countries," he said. "We are ambassadors of peace and want to spread love and peace around the world. We all are good friends and had a great time playing Cricket on Ice."
Many former cricketers like Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Kaif, Ajit Agarkar were a part of the ice cricket challenge.
Afridi had recently reaffirmed his more than cordial relationship 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 the 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 also commented on Pakistan's recent ODI series whitewash at the hands of New Zealand, blaming a lack of practice on the players' part for the 5-0 loss.
"Before Pakistan went to New Zealand they had trained at the camp for just a day," he said. "When you know you are going to play with a tough opponent in tough conditions you should have practiced more."
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