• Home
  • Who Said What
  • We Have Been Taking Care Of Them Afridi Criticises Afg For Forgetting Paks Help

"We have been taking care of them": Afridi criticises AFG for forgetting PAK's help

Rajgeeta Yadav

Shahid Afridi slams Afghanistan [Source: AFP]Shahid Afridi slams Afghanistan [Source: AFP]

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has strongly criticised Afghanistan for, in his words, “forgetting Pakistan’s help and friendship.” His comments came after Afghanistan pulled out of a planned cricket tri-series in Pakistan, following an airstrike that killed three Afghan cricketers. The attack, reportedly carried out by Pakistan in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, caused tension between the two countries.

Shahid Afridi accuses Afghanistan

Speaking to Pakistan reporters, Afridi expressed his disappointment and surprise at Afghanistan’s decision. 

“I did not expect it to be like this. For the past 50–60 years, we have been taking care of them. I personally look after nearly 350 Afghan families in Karachi," Afridi said.


“I believe that both are neighbouring countries, and our message has always been to the people of Afghanistan that both sides should cooperate because we are Muslim countries," he said.

He added that instead of discussing their concerns directly with Pakistan, Afghanistan chose to side with “those responsible for terrorism in Pakistan,” which he called “regrettable.”

“It is regrettable that instead of sitting down and discussing things directly, you went and shook hands with those who have been involved in terrorism inside Pakistan for a long time. We have always welcomed you and provided you a place, and people have lived, worked, and done business here. It is unfortunate that you went and shook hands with those who are carrying out terrorism inside our country."

Pakistan replaces Afghanistan with Zimbabwe

Following Afghanistan’s withdrawal, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on October 18 that Zimbabwe would replace Afghanistan in the upcoming T20 tri-series. 

According to the PCB, the series is meant to help all three teams prepare for next year’s ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka. The first two matches will take place in Rawalpindi, and the remaining games, including the final, will be held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Before choosing Zimbabwe, PCB was also in talks with Nepal and the United Arab Emirates, but preferred a Test-playing nation to keep the tournament competitive.