Shiv Sena backs Shahid Afridi’s views on Kashmir, says every sane Pakistani will support it

It was always up for grabs. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi recently remarked that his country “does not want Kashmir” and it did not take a lot of time for Shiv Sena, the Maharashtra-based Hindu nationalist outfit, to back the former cricketer. In an editorial in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, the Sena said the government and military of Pakistan tried more in harming India than governing the country and as a result of which it has to seek external aid for survival, even after over seven decades since Independence. It also said that all sane Pakistanis would vouch for what Afridi said.

Afridi, who still plays franchise cricket, was seen in a video recently saying neither Pakistan nor India should be given the state of Kashmir and it should be allowed to become an independent country. The 38-year-old also added that “insaniyat” (humanity) should be prioritised. He also took a dig at the prevailing situation in his country, saying it couldn’t handle its own four provinces. The cricketer later blamed the Indian media saying it quoted him out of context.

Sena mocks Pakistan’s fragile economic state

In its editorial, the Sena said: “Pakistan has become so poor in trying to support terrorism and corruption that it now is left with only the option of selling cattle and vehicles from the Prime Minister’s residence.” It claimed that Pakistan was on the verge of a financial collapse and was left to begging for a bailout from countries like China after the International Monetary Fund turned down its aid request.

“If the country needs financial oxygen to keep its economy going, alive, how will it take care of Kashmir? Not just Afridi, every sane Pakistani will hold the same view. However, who asks the common man there?” the editorial said. The Sena, however, dubbed Afridi as an “anti-Indian” saying he had made derogatory remarks against India in the past. It said the cricketer had exhibited a soft corner for 13 terrorists who were neutralised by the Indian security forces and also advocated Kashmir’s independence.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan great Javed Miandad advised his country’s fellow cricketers to refrain from giving opinions on political and other sensitive issues that would lead to controversies.

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from Australia vs India series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.