Shahid Afridi, who joined the Galle Gladiators squad after he missed his flight, has left the Lanka Premier League (LPL) midway due to a “personal emergency”.
In a tweet, the cricketer who his captaining his team Galle Gladiators, said that he has “a personal emergency to attend to back home”. He added that he will rejoin the team “immediately after the situation is handled”.
Unfortunately I have a personal emergency to attend to back home. I will return to join back my team at LPL immediately after the situation is handled. All the best.
The team management has said that owing to the quarantine rules, Afridi is unlikely to return. In his absence, Bhanuka Rajapaksa will lead the team, while Afridi’s replacement has not yet been decided.
Gladiators, who have lost all three of their matches will be playing tonight (Thursday) against the unbeaten Jaffna Stallions.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan media have revealed that Afridi is going back to Karachi to tend to his nine-month-old daughter who is reportedly unwell and has been admitted to the hospital. They also said that Lala joined the squad late because of his daughter’s illness.
“The same daughter is not well again and he will be leaving the hotel in Hambantota at around 7 pm for Colombo, where he will catch a flight for Karachi at 1 am,” a team source told the media.
Former Cricketer Umar Gul also commented on Afridi’s tweet to inquire if all is well.
Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi’s clash with Afghanistan’s Naveenul Haq has gone viral over the internet.
As per the details, the clash followed a heated exchange of words between Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir and Haq during a match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) on Monday.
Haq’s Kandy Tuskers beat Afridi and Amir’s Galle Gladiators by 25 runs.
As the match continued, Haq misbehaved with Amir during the latter part of the game. Everyone tried to stop him, including India’s Munaf Patel, but he continued hurling abuses even after winning the match.
Shahid Afridi at the age of 20: Most runs in ODI cricket for any batsman for that age, fastest hundred in ODI cricket and World Cup finalist
During final fist-pump, Afridi asked him angrily “Kia hogya hai [what’s the matter]?” while also giving him the now viral death stare.
Naveen was also seen saying something to Afridi.
Smiles from Afridi – and then a scowl!
What a character!
Tempers flaring a little after Afridi’s Galle Gladiators beaten by Kandy Tuskers in #LPL2020Tuskers’ Naveen-ul-Haq had shared words with Mohammad Amir – and Afridi wasn’t amused! #KTvGGpic.twitter.com/h9u2l6OvQC
Shahid Afridi has responded to Haris Rauf’s yorker that dismissed him on duck.
It was a great and unplayable yorker Haris very well bowled! Please bowl slow to me next time congratulations to Qalandars for final berth. Look forward to an exciting match tomorrow. Thank you Sultans fans for supporting us throughout the season. https://t.co/GySOxr43ov
In an interview with ESPN Cric Info Haris, while talking about the ball and his apology to Lala, said, “I have an aggressive style of celebration after taking a wicket, but when I dismissed Shahid Bhai yesterday, it was different as he is a superstar. He has given a lot of performances and won matches for Pakistan. So, it was essential for me to give him respect. I was not apologising, I was giving him respect.”
In response to the interview, Afridi remarked: “It was a great and unplayable yorker, Haris. Very well bowled.”
“Please bowl slow to me next time,” he added.
Afridi also congratulated Qalandars for their win and hoped for an exciting final between Lahore and Karachi. He also thanked his fans for supporting Multan Sultans this season.
Earlier in another interview, Rauf also said that Lahore versus Karachi is like an India-Pakistan match.
Lahore and Karachi will be battling tonight (November 17) for half a million dollars and glittery golden PSL Trophy.
Power hitter, Shahid Khan Afridi got clean-bowled on a duck by Haris Rauf’s yorker in a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans. After dismissing the legend, Haris apologised to the senior player, the video of which went viral on social media.
Afridi is nowhere close to the explosive big hitter he once was. There’s little need to get excited by him walking out to bat; he might once have been a trailblazer, but several around the world have mastered and bettered, the art. At 40, any exploits off Afridi’s bat are very much dying embers of a flame that once burned brightly, but Haris may just have snuffed them out in the eliminator match.
In the 14th over when Afridi walked out to bat, Rauf bowled a yorker first up tailing into middle stump. Few might have kept it out, but Afridi was notably slow in getting his bat down, the ball, whistling through his legs and onto the base of middle stump.
As Afridi began to walk off, Rauf clasped his hands together by way of apology. It was Rauf’s 50th T20 wicket this year and the 27-year-old is now the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket this year (50 wickets from 31 games).
Later, in field when asked by the commentator via spider cam that why did he do that, on which he said: “He is a senior player and I came to play with this intention that if I’ll take Shahid bhai’s wicket, I will do this style.”
He claimed 3/30, including the wickets of Rilee Rossouw and Shahid Afridi with consecutive balls, to send Lahore Qalandars through to @thePSLt20 final pic.twitter.com/osdrvosIqx
Meanwhile, the biggest rivalry in PSL’s history is about to go down on Tuesday’s (November 17) match as both the teams [KK & LQ] will now get their first chance to snatch the trophy.
Shahid Afridi and his wife Nadia are celebrating 20 years of marital bliss.
Posting pictures from the celebrations, Afridi, affectionately known as Lala shared that he forgot their anniversary but his wife still forgave him.
“Today marks 20 years of marital bliss. Alhamdulillah blessed to have a life partner so caring, understanding, and a wonderful mother to our children,” wrote Afridi. “Despite me forgetting our anniversary today she still forgave me; another one of her beautiful qualities.”
Pictures from their anniversary celebrations viral on social media.
Meanwhile, Nadia pulled her husband’s leg for forgetting their anniversary and wrote: “With the passage of time one has to remind you of things”.
She then went on to wish Lala, saying that she feels blessed to have found “a good husband, a best friend and a confidante” in him.
With the passage of time one has to remind you of things Alhamdulillah I’m blessed to have a good husband, a best friend and a confidante in you; somebody who’s a wonderful human being as a whole. Happy Anniversary! Here’s to many more, InshaAllah❤️ https://t.co/1aGvSdSa6G
With rains lashing Karachi, as many as 19 people died in various rain-related incidents in the port city on Thursday, taking the tally of deaths during the three-day monsoon spell in the city to 30.
Meteorological officials said downpours in August have shattered the 90-year-old record for the city. Some 484mm (19 inches) of rain has fallen this month so far, 130mm on Thursday alone, they said.
According to data released by the Met Office, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Faisal Base recorded 130 millimetres of rain while Nazimabad has recorded 105.6mm since Thursday morning. Mausamiyat received 74.3mm of rain, while Saadi Town recorded 72mm. About 98.5mm of rain was recorded in PAF Masroor Base, Surjani received 73mm while Kemari recorded 82.5mm.
Many major arteries witnessed severe traffic jams. Power was suspended in several areas as a precautionary measure, a K-Electric spokesperson said. Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Suhail Rajput urged people not to leave their homes during the spell which, according to a Met Office prediction, is expected to continue for another two days.
Videos and photos making rounds on social media showed submerged cars and motorcycles and water entering houses and buildings, wreaking havoc in the provincial capital.
Given the devastation in Karachi, several celebrities and notable personalities including Feroze Khan, Shahid Afridi, Fatima Bhutto, Ayesha Omar, Samina Peerzada and Ali Safina have lashed out at the Sindh Government for being incompetent and “destroying” the city.
Feroze expressed his outrage by hitting out at PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and demanding answers from him and his government.
– do you even know anything? What’s been up all these years in Sindh ? What’s your party been really doing handing out ajrak’s ?? Where did the tax go ? Zero infrastructure ?? My city and the people both are underwater Mr.Zardari. https://t.co/f4wlrn4zXS
When a Twitter user asked him to hold the PTI government accountable as well, Khan said that they “have literally just come in and I at least can’t expect them to over night work everything around”.
– they have literally just come in and I at least can’t expect them to over night work everything around and turn this place into Dubai ? PPP and MUSLIM LEAGUE (N) should be held responsible. https://t.co/AQqzu3fK4O
Former captain Shahid Afridi expressed his disappointment with the management and those in charge of the city.
“Who will save Karachi,” questioned the cricketer. It is pertinent to mention here that Afridi’s foundation Shahid Afridi Foundation has stepped up to help those affected by the flooding in the city.
کاش دنیا کے کسی میٹروپولیٹن سے ہی سیکھ لیں، مصنوعی جھیلیں بنا لیں۔ کیا یہ ہمارا قصور ہے کہ رہنے کے لئے اس شہر کا انتخاب کیا، یہاں ٹیکس دیتے ہیں لیکن بدلے میں انتظامیہ کون سی ذمہ داری پوری کرتی ہے؟ کراچی کو کچراچی بنانے والوں کے گریبان پر ہاتھ کون ڈالے گا؟ #WhoWillSaveKarachihttps://t.co/2VpaUozk97
With the videos I’m seeing, the stories I’m hearing, its a National Emergency situation. People are homeless, stuck on the streets, or being swept away. Are there relief packages being prepared? Is help coming? When? @MuradAliShahPPP#SindhGovt#KarachiSinks#KarachiRain
#Karachi had an estimated GDP of $164 billion approximately 25% of the national GDP. The metropolitan city, The financial hub of #Pakistan dose not deserve to be treated like this. Sorry #Karachi corrupt politicians and negligence has brought you down to this #FixKarachi
Please Karachi walo, issay bhoolna mat!! I’ve seen the city move on because they’ve gotten to see this too often and they’ve learnt to move on but not this time. #KarachiRains
Inn corrupt siasatdanoN key liye protest or march bhee ghareeb karta hei, inkey liye Ek doosray sey larayee hathaapayee bhe ghareeb karta hei aur jab inki corruption ki waja sey baarishoN ke paani ka sailaab aata hei toh doobta bhee sabsey pehle bechara ghareeb hey.#KarachiSinks
Not sure whether 2 laugh at our fate or cry: Karachi the metropolitan center of Pakistan still not equipped 2 store rainwater, water-shortages r part of daily life here & is still not equipped to drain monsoon rains which cause damage & claim lives every year. #KarachiSinks
An absolutely heartbreaking state of affairs! #Karachi needs immediate attention followed by urgent corrective action. The situation resulting from the absolute apathy of those in positions power must change. Enough of all the tall claims – time to walk the talk.
Meanwhile, other celebrities including Humayun Saeed, Wasim Akram, Shaniera Akram, Farhan Saeed, Ali Rehman Khan, Ali Zafar, Bilal Ashraf, Hira Mani and Maya Ali sent prayers for the city and those affected by the catastrophic rains.
Prayers for everyone’s safety and well-being. Please help anyone you can in whatever way possible in this extremely challenging situation. May Allah protect us all
Can’t believe the footage coming out of Karachi. Bypass’ filled with water, ship containers & cars floating down highways, back yards become pools & street turned into rivers: The city that has no water is now under water. My Prayers are with you Karachi
Dear All, it is extreme rain today, the Hub Dam has already overflow.Take special care, don’t take this rain as fun, Karachi is not capable to deal with it. Stay Indoors, Stay Safe, take care of all people around you ..ALLH pak sab ko apni amaan mey rakhay ameen
– I have been hearing nothing but absolutely gruesome accounts of people grappling with the Monsoon back home. Hope everyone is doing the best to keep safe, let this be the end of our trials and prayers for all! #StaySafeStayHome#KarachiNeedsAttention#KarachiRains
Seeing images & videos of my city drowning. So heartbreaking to see no one own Karachi. The city that gives so much, has lost when it needed us yet again. I pray for everybody in my city , please stay safe. Ya ALLAH Karachi ko iss mushkil waqt se bachayen, Aameen. #KarachiRains
Despite all the drama that followed when Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh extended their support to Shahid Afridi for his coronavirus campaign, Afridi says that he has great respect for them both and that they have “old and strong relations”.
Lala shared this while responding to a Twitter user during an #AskAfridi session on the microblogging website.
We have old and strong relations and I still have respect for both
In April, Yuvraj and Harbhajan had extended their support to Afridi’s foundation, the Shahid Afridi Foundation, in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic, following which they received scathing criticism from triggered Indian social media users.
Following the hate, Singh clarified that his intention was not to hurt anyone’s feelings and that he remains a true patriot and will always “bleed blue.” Singh’s note was retweeted by Harbhajan.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan’s wife Geeta Basra responding to the trolling had said: “Harbhajan knows what his country means to him and doesn’t want to explain an act of humanity. He lives for India and will die for India. His country will always come first. Whenever he has played cricket, he did it with his heart. And everyone knows what India means to him.”
She continued, “This goodwill gesture was to help Afridi, with whom they have played cricket and have years of friendship. Afridi is doing his bit for his country. They tried spreading the word to their fans all over the world, inspiring more people to support his good work.”
“Let’s not bring religion or anything else into this. Even the virus isn’t making any discrimination. They would’ve done the same if anyone from any of the other teams like West Indies or England would’ve sought help,” Geeta added.
Later in May, when Afridi while speaking to the people of Azad Kashmir, strongly criticised Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, for deploying forces in Kashmir and making it a living hell for Muslims, Yuvraj expressed his disappointment at his comments and regretted extending his support.
Really disappointed by @SAfridiOfficial‘s comments on our Hon’b PM @narendramodi ji. As a responsible Indian who has played for the country, I will never accept such words. I made an appeal on your behest for the sake of humanity. But never again.
Harbhajan passed similar comments, saying that he has “no relation or tie-up with Shahid Afridi from here on”.
“This is very upsetting what Shahid Afridi has come up with, talking ill about our country and our Prime Minister. This is just not acceptable,” Harbhajan had said. “To be honest, he [Afridi] asked us to make an appeal for his charity. In good faith, we did it for humanity and for the people suffering due to the coronavirus.”
“All I have to say is we have nothing to do with Shahid Afridi. He has no right to speak ill against our country and he should stay in his country and limits,” he added. “One person asks me to make an appeal for the sake of humanity, and I did my bit. That was it. I have no relation or tie-up with any Shahid Afridi from here on.”
#AskAfridi
In the interactive Twitter session, Afridi answered a variety of question from his fans during the session, ranging from his thoughts on Kashmir to his favourite players and cricket memories and how he is keeping himself busy during the pandemic. Check out some of his responses below:
Shahid Afridi has extended his best wishes to Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek, who have tested positive for coronavirus.
In a tweet, Afridi wished the Bachchans a speedy recovery. The former captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team had also contracted the virus and recovered from it earlier this month.
Amitabh and Abhishek had earlier shared that they are in the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19. According to health officials, the father and son are stable.
T 3590 -I have tested CoviD positive .. shifted to Hospital .. hospital informing authorities .. family and staff undergone tests , results awaited .. All that have been in close proximity to me in the last 10 days are requested to please get themselves tested !
Earlier today both my father and I tested positive for COVID 19. Both of us having mild symptoms have been admitted to hospital. We have informed all the required authorities and our family and staff are all being tested. I request all to stay calm and not panic. Thank you.
Later, Abhishek announced that his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter Aaradhya had also tested positive for the virus and were isolating at home. He added that his mother Jaya Bachchan has tested negative.
Aishwarya and Aaradhya have also tested COVID-19 positive. They will be self quarantining at home. The BMC has been updated of their situation and are doing the needful.The rest of the family including my Mother have tested negative. Thank you all for your wishes and prayers
After wishes for a speedy recovery poured in for the family from across the world, Amitabh thanked everyone for their prayers and good wishes.
“I put my hands together and say thank you for your eternal love and affection,” wrote the actor on Twitter.
T 3592 – It shall not be possible for me to acknowledge and respond to all the prayers and wishes expressed by them that have shown concern towards Abhishek, Aishwarya, Aaradhya and me .. I put my hands together and say .. Thank you for your eternal love and affection ..
Meanwhile, authorities have been sanitising Bachchan’s upscale residence in Mumbai, spraying disinfectant inside the compound and on cars parked outside.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCh8EnknRgr/
India has the world’s third-highest COVID-19 caseload, registering a record increase on Sunday that took the number of infections to nearly 850,000. Partial lockdowns have been reimposed in some densely populated areas.
India’s film industry had recently resumed shoots after a months-long hiatus following a nationwide lockdown in late March. But actors over 65, such as Amitabh Bachchan, have been banned from the sets because of their vulnerability.
Shahid Afridi, who had tested positive for COVID-19 on June 13, has announced that he, his wife and two daughters have recovered from the virus.
The former captain of the Pakistan cricket team announced the news with an adorable picture of himself kissing his youngest daughter Arwa, writing: “I’ve missed holding this one.”
Meanwhile, Afridi has been on the forefront in the battle against COVID-19. His foundation Shahid Afridi Foundation has been actively working to help those affected by the virus all across the country.
Waqar Younis has urged all-rounder Shahid Afridi and cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir to end their social media war and has called for India and Pakistan to resume playing cricket.
After being fierce on-field rivals, Pakistan’s Afridi and former Indian opener Gambhir have often been involved in heated social media exchanges over the troubled Kashmir region. Gambhir is now a lawmaker in the Indian parliament, while Afridi has his own foundation and is a vocal activist.
According to AFP, Waqar advised the pair to “calm down” in an online chat show.
“The banter between Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi has been going on for a while now. I think they both got to be smart, sensible, and calm down,” said Waqar.
“It has been going on for way too long. My advice to them is to maybe catch up somewhere around the world and talk it out if you cannot really calm it down.”
India and Pakistan have not played a series since 2012-2013 and have hit a new peak in tensions over Kashmir, which they have fought over since their independence in 1947.
Waqar, 48, said a cricket series would boost relations between the arch-rival neighbours.
“I think that it would be the biggest hit of the world,” said Waqar. “I think Pakistan [and] India should play and should play on a regular basis to avoid depriving cricket lovers.”
Earlier, Shoaib Akhtar had also proposed a three-match Indo-Pak series to raise funds to help the governments of India and Pakistan fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
