Mumbai: Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi is in the news again and not for his cricketing exploits. Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has levelled allegations and accused Afridi of fixing matches in exchange of money. Miandad, who has always spoken his mind and played with a straight bat has questioned the integrity of ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi.
“I challenge Afridi to swear upon his daughter and say that he didn’t sell Pakistan’s matches,” Miandad had said. Speaking at a book launch function on Sunday, Afridi hit back at Miandad.
“Money has always been an issue for Javed Miandad. It doesn’t suit a legendary cricketer like him to pass such irresponsible comments,” the 36-year-old told reporters.
Afridi over the years has been a polarising figure and played the game on his own terms. The relations between ex-players and players, who are currently playing have been topsy turvy and there is no love lost between the two parties.
Afridi also took to social micro-blogging site Twitter to inform his fans and followers that he was no longer willing to tolerate Miandad’s constant attacks.
Javed Miandad is legend of cricket but he used very harsh words on TV for long time. He made personal attack on me for no reason1/2… he wrote.
I tolerated for long time but every person has a limit, sad that Javed Miandad was making personal attacks for long time2/2
I regret what I said to a senior but of course I had to eventually react to his behaviour.
Former Pakistan coach Javed Miandad recently made startling statements against Indian establishment and threatened India of dire consequences in the wake of Uri attack. India has blamed Pakistan for the dastardly terror attacks in Jammu & Kashmir.
The flamboyant Afridi has already retired from Test and ODI cricket and wants a farewell before calling it quits in T20 cricket. Afridi has served Pakistan cricket with distinction and now the ball is in Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) court whether the maverick cricketer deserves a farewell or not.