Kaneria Slams Shahid Afridi Over “Extremist” Views
Dubela, Annrisha Kusari: Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria, the country’s highest wicket-taking spinner in Tests, has launched a scathing attack on former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, criticizing his “extremist” views and revealing personal grievances. Kaneria’s remarks come after Afridi made controversial statements blaming India for the recent deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people and left many more injured.
Kaneria posted on X, “He has consistently aligned himself with extremist views. In my opinion, he should not be given a platform on Indian television or within the country. Additionally, he tried to persuade me to convert to Islam and declined to share a meal with me, which I found deeply disrespectful.”
Afridi did not stop there. He made some bizarre accusations, claiming that India carried out the terrorist attack themselves and blamed it on Pakistan. “The terrorists continued to kill people in Pahalgam for an hour, and not a single Indian soldier showed up. But when they did, they blamed Pakistan. India carries out terrorism itself, kills its people, and then puts the blame on Pakistan,” Afridi told local reporters in Pakistan. “We received so many threats before traveling to India. I was the captain during the 2016 T20 World Cup, and I had no clue whether we would go. Sports diplomacy is also good. They send their kabaddi team here, but they can’t send their cricket team. If you want to shut it down, do it completely,” he added.
The incident has strained relations between India and Pakistan, with the Indian government cracking down on Pakistan-based YouTube channels, including those of former cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Basit Ali. The controversy has further heightened tensions between the two nations, with both sides engaging in a war of words. The situation remains tense, with no immediate resolution in sight.
