Shahid Afridi Sparks Controversy After Insulting Indian Army, Shikhar Dhawan Retaliates

Cricketers Engage in Heated Exchange Following Terror Attack

Former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi has ignited a firestorm of controversy after making disparaging remarks about the Indian Army following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists last week, has sparked a tense exchange between Afridi and Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan.

Afridi’s Controversial Comments

Afridi, during an interview with Samaa TV, questioned the effectiveness of the Indian Army, suggesting that they were unable to protect their own citizens. He claimed that India always blames Pakistan for incidents, even minor ones, despite having a large military presence in Kashmir. Afridi’s comments were widely condemned in India, with many accusing him of being insensitive and disrespectful towards the victims of the terror attack.

Dhawan Hits Back

Shikhar Dhawan, a former Indian opening batsman, responded to Afridi’s remarks in a strong and direct manner. On X (formerly Twitter), Dhawan reminded Afridi of Pakistan’s defeat in the 1999 Kargil War and urged him to focus on his own country’s progress instead of making baseless comments about India. Dhawan also expressed his pride in the Indian Army and paid tribute to the nation.

The Tea Jibe

The situation escalated further when Afridi, in a seemingly sarcastic response, shared a picture of himself holding a cup of tea. He wrote, ‘Forget about winning and losing, come, let me serve you tea, Shikhar.’ This is seen as a reference to the 2019 incident where captured Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was seen having tea during his interrogation in Pakistan.

Calls for Cricket Ties to be Severed

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has called for a complete severance of cricketing ties with Pakistan following the terror attack. He believes that strong action is necessary and that terrorism cannot be tolerated.