Sports

Afridi defends himself after media row

Pakistan T20I captain says he always respect others and demand the same from others

Afp January 07, 2016

PHOTO: AFP/FILE

LAHORE: Pakistan's Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi defended himself Thursday after a row with a television journalist that prompted the media to briefly boycott coverage of an ongoing training camp, saying he "always respects others".

Afridi was asked by local journalist Sanaullah Khan at the camp in Lahore on Wednesday how he would improve his captaincy after a recent 3-0 loss against England in the United Arab Emirates saw Pakistan plummet to sixth in the world Twenty20 rankings, from a high of second.

A miffed Afridi retorted: "I expected you to ask such a pathetic and low question, someone ask the next question please."

Afridi clashes with reporter over captaincy question

The dismissive reply on live television ignited anger among journalists, who boycotted the remainder of the planned events on Wednesday and demanded an apology.

Khan, who had asked Afridi a similar question in November and received a similar answer, even took to Twitter with a live #AskSana question-and-answer session about the incident.

On Thursday, Afridi defended himself and accepted responsibility for the humiliation in the UAE.

"I always respect others and demand the same from others," he said.

Misbah sides with Afridi, says all rows fueled by media

"It's under my captaincy that the team rose to number two but we made basic errors to lose against England and that affected our rankings."

Team manager Intikhab Alam managed to pacify the media, who returned on Thursday to cover the final day of the camp.

"I have talked to Afridi and he has reiterated that he respects the media, so hopefully such an incident will not happen again," Alam said on Thursday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board [PCB] said the incident should not be blown out of proportion.

"It should not have happened," PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told media. "We will look into it but don't take it as something big."

Afridi has led Pakistan since Mohammad Hafeez stepped down in 2014, winning six of the last ten matches.

Pakistan will fly to New Zealand on January 10 to play three Twenty20 matches and as many one-day internationals, the first in Auckland on January 15.

Afridi said he was sure the players would improve their rankings during the tour.

COMMENTS (10)

Babloo | 8 years ago | Reply @Jeff- I specifically mentioned about the TRP rates in Asia- Nations like India, Pakistan, Srilanka and Bangladesh. And Afridi is a huge fan Favorite in India- The population of this country is mind boggling, the entire world cup can be sponsored considering the revenue generated by the TRP rates from India! I have seen just two players who had that star drawing power- Sachin Tendulkar and Afridi. With Sachin gone, its only Afridi left now. And about other Countries- There are Asians(mostly Indians and Pakistanis) in great amount in the UK, Australia, Zealand, Ireland who watch only because of him. I'l give you an example- A Man U vs Chelsea match or if you prefer, take a Barca Vs Real Madrid Match on a Saturday evening. Quite a lot of people will tune it from various countries no doubt, great TRP rates. Now consider Afridi playing on a Saturday evening- Millions of Indians alone simply tune in, i am not even counting the rest of the nations my friend! Considering the population of India alone, and the nation as a whole as a cricket lover, the TRP rates go beyond those of the English premier league matches! It's a great deal of Business, India alone is a market of 1.2 Billion people my friend! About 800 million watch cricket, and approx 400 million watch it only because of Entertainment...and that's only the Stats for India my friend..You can imagine the rest of the nations, and the revenue generated because of him..

safdar | 8 years ago | Reply Afridi did right. Media deserve even more than this. Journalists always cross their limit and says whatever comes in their mind.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Jawad U Rahman | 8 years ago | Reply The journalist asked a very valid question. Afridi's outburst and subsequent refusal to apologize shows his lack of class. Not the first time he has failed in that department.

Blithe | 8 years ago | Reply He was never captain material - zero EQ

Jeff | 8 years ago | Reply Yes Babloo bhai, Afridi is "THE GREAT" sportsman in this world. Just wondering how many countries in world know and play cricket explains it. Unless if you are thinking Pakistan is world then I agree with you.

Babloo | 8 years ago | Reply Throw him out of the team? Are you crazy? Do you even know the kind of revenue that is generated because of him? Do you know that when he is batting, the TRP rates in Asia go high as the English premier league! Imagine the full trp rates of a Man u vs Chelsea game are equivalent to one guy here! Please PCB its a request do not let him retire, he generates great amount of revenue. Let him be like The Undertaker from the WWE ( Who is a great TRP drawer and keeps making appearances, but doesn't retire which is not bad at all for the company ). Guys please simply do not get emotional and say you want him out of the team. First understand the entire Business behind cricket- It's not only two teams playing, there is a lot more involved- The Board needs to generate profit, The stadiums need to be filled ( Greater the sale of tickets, better wages for the ground workers and staff too). The Ads that come in between overs- Has any of you noticed that in many of Pakistan's matches, they do not feature many advertisements, however when Afridi is on the crease, bang on there is a big advertisement. The broadcasting channel payment..and so there are hundreds of things i can go on and on with. It's a great move by the PCB to let him play, they are smart.

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply Attention seeker was offended because Amir was getting all the attention. Is there anyone in team except him and Amir?

asad | 8 years ago | Reply Afridi has brought many joys for Pakistan but unfortunately he has never been able to discipline himself professionally leaving him a tier II player internationally despite having a potential of being much better. His captaincy during last series was no different; was below average and unless it is accepted, improvement is not possible.

Talha | 8 years ago | Reply For God sake throw this good for nothing liability out of the team. God! he makes me sick to the core and question his ability to be even called a cricketer. Its not his recent twinkle with the journalist which is annoying, he is just such a big wanabe that its not even funny anymore. A big question mark is for the selection committee and the management who are donating money to this man!

salman | 8 years ago | Reply What Afridi did was perfectly right. Some of these journalists are part of a mafia where they can malign any sportsperson on will. When PCB already made him captain for the upcoming World Cup than why this journalist was raising the question of captaincy to Afridi himself rather than the board. The journalist clearly wanted to show Afridi low in front of everyone by asking a disrespectful and sarcastic question.

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