Twitter loves Afridi, and so do we

The Twittersphere was filled with posts of how proud we are of our cricket demigod.

It’s been a while since the Pakistani people received a dose of our brown-eyed, glossy haired cricket hero. The last time I got an Afridi high was when I saw that soft drink commercial promoting cricket selections. It was about time the man sprinkled some of his star-dust on us again.

After the appointment of the new PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf by President Asif Ali Zardari last week, Afridi declared that he was once again available to play for his country.

[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be5gKSeMJtE]]

Afridi had resigned saying he wouldn’t play under the then PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and the team management had developed serious issues with him last year. Fans will, no doubt, remember following the war of words rather vigorously at the time. Technically, the change of events render his resignation void since the management is no longer filled with people who ‘don’t respect senior players’.

Soon after the news hit the stands, the internet exploded with cheers of fans mixed with witty sarcastic comments from haters. Pakistani tweeps (twitter users) rejoiced at ‘Shahid Afridi' being one of the top trends (popular topics) worldwide. For at least an hour, the twittersphere was filled with posts about how proud we were of our cricket demigod. Some tasteless others, not yet under Afridi's magic spell just sighed at yet another day of celebrity news to fill up their newsfeeds. One tweep termed Afridi as the Pakistani Cricket team’s ‘Dev Anand’. He tagged his post with the phrase ‘ComebackComebackComeback’.

I’m guessing the opening of Hardees in Karachi had a hand in making Mr Boom Boom happy enough to take back his retirement. After all, he was the first person to taste the much awaited treat at the opening ceremony.

Whatever might be the reason, we can only hope this cricket drama ends in a fruitful conclusion for the Pakistani team. Shahid Afridi is one of the few people in Pakistan that everyone loves and supports, regardless of ethnic background or social standing.

I pray that Mr Afridi keeps delighting his fans with not only newsworthy drama but a sense of direction on and even off the cricket pitch.