Former Pakistan skipper, Javed Miandad has advised his fellow countrymen to avoid voicing their opinions on political and other sensitive issues to avoid controversies. His advice came in the wake of comments made by all-rounder Shahid Afridi on the Kashmir issue.
During a media interaction in Karachi, Miandad, who played as many as 120 Tests, said, “I would say what Afridi said was not suitable and should have been avoided. It is best for cricketers to avoid giving statements on political and sensitive issues. Better they focus on cricket until they retire and decide to start a new career.”
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Afridi’s comments on Kashmir can be heard in a video that went viral on Wednesday. Defending those comments, Afridi wrote on Twitter, “My comments are being misconstrued by Indian media! I’m passionate about my country and greatly value the struggles of Kashmiris. Humanity must prevail and they should get their rights. Kashmir is unresolved dispute and under brutal Indian occupation. It must be resolved as per UN resolution. Myself along with every Pakistani support Kashmiri freedom struggle. Kashmir belongs to Pakistan.”
My comments are being misconstrued by Indian media! I'm passionate about my country and greatly value the struggles of Kashmiris. Humanity must prevail and they should get their rights.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 14, 2018
This isn’t the first time Afridi has got himself into a controversy because of his comments. Earlier this year, he upset Miandad when he made some comments on the fixing issue and took a snipe at the former great.
My clip is incomplete & out of context as what I said before that is missing.Kashmir is unresolved dispute & under brutal Indian occupation. It must be resolved as per UN resolution. Myself along with every Pakistani support Kashmiri freedom struggle. Kashmir belongs to Pakistan.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 14, 2018
Earlier in April, Afridi expressed his opinions about the Indian occupied area of Kashmir and urged a few organizations to put a halt to the shambolic situation there. However, the comments didn’t go down well with people in India and he became a recipient of a severe amount of criticism from eminent personalities as well as commoners.
He took to Twitter and wrote, “Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self-determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren’t they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?” he had written on the social media platform.
Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren't they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 3, 2018