Pakistan star all-rounder Shahid Afridi failed to keep his cool and attacked the fans at the Jinnah International Airport Karachi after return from Dhaka after winning the Asia Cup title.
Afridi was among six Pakistani players of Asia cup winning team who returned to Karachi from Dhaka on Friday including Younus Khan, M Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Saeed Ajmal and Sarfaraz Ahmed besides Afridi.
The cricket enthusiasts were waiting for their heroes at the airport and when the team reached there they started greeting and shaking hands with them. A large number of fans were around Afridi to shake hand and to get his autograph. The all-rounder got irritated and started abusing the fans to keep them away. Before departing from airport, Afridi completely got out of senses, returned and attacked fans with slaps and punches.
Geo News and other channels flashed footages of an angry Afridi attacking a fan and pushing him to the ground. According to a report, the fan who was badly roughed up had pestered Afridi for an autograph. But another report said that the Pakistani all-rounder lost his temper as his little daughter who was with him was pushed around by the fans clamoring to get the autograph from him. Afridi dressed in a pinkish T-shirt also tried to kick the fan before his brother Mushtaq got in the way and prevented the situation from getting out of hand. Afridi was also seen scolding another fan and threatening to slap him before he got into the waiting car. A large number of cricket fans had gathered to welcome their Pakistani team after winning the Asia Cup title
The national team players are heroes of the nation and their fans love them a lot and feel proud while meeting with them so these heroes should be given due respect and honour for their true sentiments towards their heroes. They should not be beaten or abusing as Afridi did as this is very shameful act and he should say sorry to the fans. Before the mishap, talking to media Afridi said that a 10 year future plan should be made for the betterment of Pakistan cricket. ”Bangladesh gave a tough time to us and it seemed that we were playing against Australia in final,” he added.
–PTI and Agencies