Pakistan superstar Shahid Afridi. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan superstar Shahid Afridi’s match-winning performances in the Asia Cup this week have prompted fans on social media to pray for him to be rewarded - with a son.
The 34-year-old, married and father to four daughters, delivered Pakistan a cherished victory over India on Sunday with consecutive sixes in the last over, sparking jubilant celebrations.
But the adoration of millions and a prime plot of land were not enough for some overzealous fans, who see a male child as the ultimate validation of Afridi’s accomplishments.
“We should all pray that God rewards the person who has provided all Pakistanis jubilation and smiles in such terrible times with a son,” one fan commented on the “Meri jaan Pakistan” (My love Pakistan) Facebook page. The post, which appeared on Wednesday, has received more than 5,000 likes, 1,000 shares, and hundreds of comments saying “Ameen (Amen)”. “God will now give him a son, God willing,” said another fan on the forum.
After beating India and Bangladesh, Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final on Saturday.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2014.
COMMENTS (18)
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BE PROFESSIONAL This report was earlier published on 06.03.2013 in Hindustan Times and same copy / paste version here in ET very next day with some minor amendments. WHAT AN IDEA SIR JEE…. ULLO BANAWING… ULLO BANAWING…
Afridi did not face a single ball in the final. The match was fixed and huge sums paid to the Paki players. This happens whenever Pakistan loses. Without match fixing, Pakistan team can never lose. This is a fact.
Here wishing all the women of Pakistan a " Happy Womens day"
WTH? Last time i checked FB/Twitter we were praying for his full recovery for the Asia Cup final. Where you got this from?
This is so stupid, sums up the silliness in our society today.
What rubbish report from ET - I bet not even Afridi would apporve of this
And this qualifies as news how?
As a fan of Shahid Afridi My prayers for him would be ------ May his daughters grow up and do wonderful things for themselves and for their family & country and do us all proud and be the greatest source of joy & pride & satisfaction for him & his wife, our great cricketing hero Shahid Afridi.
Has any one dared to ask Mr. Afridi if he wants a son or not? He has beautiful daughters and he could be very content with his daughters. Why we go to such extremes in our hate and love is always weird to me.
Another brilliant attempt by the Tribune to stir up controversy in the comments section... Well done!
LOL .. Pakistani's are behaving as if they won the world cup..
Ignorance is bliss . After 4 daughters , they are praying for a son . These elites are really setting good examples for their rest of country.
This amount of misogyny is disconcerting.
I feel for the 4 lovely daughters of Shahid Afridi.
The reall Hero rules in the People's heart, always and forever, Shahid Afride is one of them.Allah protect him from all eveils, ameen.God bless him and Pakistan.
First we talk about women rights and than we leave no opportunity to show them how much we discriminate between genders
disgusting. please let it be clear that a few fans on social media do not constitute the views of most pakistanis.