Published: Apr 27, 2016, 06:34 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 27, 2016, 07:59 PM (IST)
Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi and controversies go hand-in-hand; link ups with models or comments on different nations and the recent atrocious rumours of his younger daughter. What has the poor soul got to do amongst all the media bash up? Or is it because she is Afridi’s daughter? The death rumours circulated over the past two days were undoubtedly uncalled for. If you come to think about it, Afridi’s spoken words have been purely from his heart, giving no thought that the comment could turn controversial the next moment or maybe even criticised or trolled for all the wrong reasons. READ: Rumour about Shahid Afridi’s daughter: It is time we show some responsibility
The saga of controversies and rumours has been going on for years with regards to Afridi. Let us reflect on some from the current years that have been crucial for Pakistan cricket and Afridi in particular. 2016 began with tour to New Zealand that was the first step for Pakistan to prepare well for the ICC World T20 2016. Pakistan displayed a mediocre performance in Asia Cup T20 2016 as well as World T20.
During this phase, spiced-up gossip on his alleged affair with Indian model Arshi Khan resurfaced, after a fatwa issued by Pakistan on the model in November last year. A rather calm Afridi decided to remain silent on unnecessary circulated news. Just when Afridi could have heaved sigh of relief, Pakistan’s poor performance in Asia Cup T20 2016 led to Afridi being contemplative on his decisions to continue cricket. The media, as they love to dig out the matter until ‘the smarties’ find conclusion to a trending topic. Pretty similar to the flack Afridi faced with reports wavering on his retirement in February.
Afridi, yet again, handled it with care and took a u-turn to this decision claiming his family wants him to continue. That was not the end. To add to the turmoil, the skipper had just come out from one and was pushed to fire once again. Afridi might have been highly appreciated for his performance against Bangladesh in T20 World Cup. However, he failed to continue the stellar show and was eventually criticised for that as well. Amidst the teams’ down fall in T20 cricket, Afridi’s comments were also targeted upon. Prior to the tournament, just when Pakistan entered India, Afridi chose to hold a Press Conference to attend to the media regarding the pro-long case of Pakistan playing T20 due to security issues. READ: Shahid Afridi’s daughter’s death reports on social media false
Press Conferences are meant to spice up any cricketers’ behaviour or comments. This time around Afridi was caught in a cobweb with his comment on ‘more love from India.’ So what if he receives more love in India? Somewhere media had to get a juicy gossip amongst T20 cricket and create excitement out of it. Yes, the national sentiment should have been kept in mind, but that does not mean a cricket-loving nation like India cannot idolise different cricketers (which might have crossed the mind of the helpless cricketer). Despite the comments, once again Afridi chose to remain mum.
Afridi had to find some way to come out of this clutter of controversies; unfortunately, there was no scope for one. Just when the comment on love for India was silenced out, the then skipper had to rake up Kashmir controversy, adding to the political dilemma of India and Pakistan. In conversation with former Pakistan cricket Rameez Raja, Afridi was asked about his experience playing in Mohali and unknowingly a rather innocent Afridi mentioned, “Ya, a lot of people are here from Kashmir as well. And I want to thank people of Kolkata. They really support us as well,” just minutes before New Zealand were to take on Pakistan.
Afridi has been blamed, acclaimed as well as accused for various reasons. This time around the accusations got a tad bit serious as Pakistan were unsuccessful for second consecutive time with the team being outplayed from the mega event. Media were hovering on Afridi, as bees buzz around honeycomb, with a hope he may announce his retirement soon. But Afridi, being himself, shut the critics and took decision to go to his homeland and open on the matter. Afridi took a sarcastic turn on his comment about love for India and twisted the tale as the remark was for educated audience and that hushed the media once again.
This time around, media went quite ahead and directly aimed at his family. As a cricketer, he has remained tight-lipped, but what when it comes to his family? Is this the right way to attack on his younger daughter? The biggest question is: will Afridi continue to shun this particular rumour and take no call. Social sites went to an extent to a child being covered with white cloth with rose petals. Media will always be on a look out for different angles to trending news; the way this has taken a turn definitely cannot be over looked.
(Shruti Hariharan is a Content Writer with CricketCountry. You can follow her on Twitter at @Shruti_2890)
