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Attempt to interfere in India's internal politics on the occasion of cricket! Shahid Afridi praises Rahul Gandhi
Mumbai, September 16, 2025:-Former Pakistani cricketer and captain Shahid Afridi's statement after the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan has given rise to a new controversy. In the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian team won a resounding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan. However, after this match, a wave of anger has erupted in Pakistan as Indian players did not shake hands with Pakistani players. On this issue, Shahid Afridi has criticized the Indian government and praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's positive approach. His statement has received strong reactions from political circles in India, which is being seen as an attempt to interfere in India's internal politics.
From match to politics
The match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 has become a topic of political and social discussion, not just limited to sports. Even before the match, the demand to boycott the India-Pakistan match was gaining momentum on social media. The match was against the backdrop of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. India claims that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism was behind the attack. Against this backdrop, the Indian players refused to shake hands with the Pakistani players after the match. Indian team captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir clarified that this decision was taken to show solidarity with the families of the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
Afridi's controversial statement
During a discussion on Pakistan's Samaa TV, Shahid Afridi criticized the Indian government. He accused the Indian government of trying to stay in power by playing the Hindu-Muslim card. "This government's approach is very negative. They always use religious and Hindu-Muslim issues," Afridi said. On the other hand, he showered praise on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. "Rahul Gandhi's approach is positive. He prefers to walk together with everyone through dialogue. One Israel is enough, India should not try to become another Israel," he said. Afridi's statement has drawn strong reactions in India, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) calling it an attempt to interfere in India's internal politics.
BJP's counterattack
Replying to Afridi's statement, BJP national spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla launched a scathing attack on Congress and Rahul Gandhi. "All those who hate India find their friends in Rahul Gandhi and Congress. From Hafiz Saeed to Shahid Afridi, every anti-India person supports Rahul Gandhi. Congress is the Islamabad National Congress," Poonawalla wrote on X. He claimed to be an "old friend" between Congress and Pakistan, accusing the Congress of siding with Pakistan from the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya also targeted Rahul Gandhi, calling Afridi a "Hindu-hater". "Why do India's enemies stand by Rahul Gandhi? Why did Afridi compare India's Pakistan policy to Israel-Gaza policy and praise Rahul Gandhi?" Malviya asked.
Congress's reaction
There is no official reaction from the Congress yet on Afridi's statement. However, some Congress leaders have responded to the BJP's criticism, claiming that it is an attempt to give it a political colour. A Congress leader wrote on X that "BJP always tries to use the statements of foreigners for political gain. Rahul Gandhi has always advocated the unity of India." Along with this, he hit back at the BJP by sharing a photo of Shahid Afridi and BJP MP Anurag Thakur together.
The confluence of cricket and politics
The handshake controversy in the Asia Cup match has once again blurred the line between cricket and politics. Afridi has previously made statements against India, criticizing the Indian government over the Kashmir issue and India's military operations. In May 2025, at a "Youm-e-Tashakkur" rally in Karachi, he supported the Pakistan Army by calling India's military action an "attack on civilians and mosques".
India had launched "Operation Sindoor" after the Pahalgam attack and attacked terrorist camps in Pakistan. On this, Afridi also called India "aggressors" and called the Pakistan Army "invincible". His statements had sparked a wave of anger in India. Now, once again, his statement has highlighted the tension between India and Pakistan.
Mumbai, September 16, 2025:-Former Pakistani cricketer and captain Shahid Afridi's statement after the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan has given rise to a new controversy. In the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian team won a resounding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan. However, after this match, a wave of anger has erupted in Pakistan as Indian players did not shake hands with Pakistani players. On this issue, Shahid Afridi has criticized the Indian government and praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's positive approach. His statement has received strong reactions from political circles in India, which is being seen as an attempt to interfere in India's internal politics.
From match to politics
The match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 has become a topic of political and social discussion, not just limited to sports. Even before the match, the demand to boycott the India-Pakistan match was gaining momentum on social media. The match was against the backdrop of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. India claims that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism was behind the attack. Against this backdrop, the Indian players refused to shake hands with the Pakistani players after the match. Indian team captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir clarified that this decision was taken to show solidarity with the families of the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
Afridi's controversial statement
During a discussion on Pakistan's Samaa TV, Shahid Afridi criticized the Indian government. He accused the Indian government of trying to stay in power by playing the Hindu-Muslim card. "This government's approach is very negative. They always use religious and Hindu-Muslim issues," Afridi said. On the other hand, he showered praise on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. "Rahul Gandhi's approach is positive. He prefers to walk together with everyone through dialogue. One Israel is enough, India should not try to become another Israel," he said. Afridi's statement has drawn strong reactions in India, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) calling it an attempt to interfere in India's internal politics.
BJP's counterattack
Replying to Afridi's statement, BJP national spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla launched a scathing attack on Congress and Rahul Gandhi. "All those who hate India find their friends in Rahul Gandhi and Congress. From Hafiz Saeed to Shahid Afridi, every anti-India person supports Rahul Gandhi. Congress is the Islamabad National Congress," Poonawalla wrote on X. He claimed to be an "old friend" between Congress and Pakistan, accusing the Congress of siding with Pakistan from the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya also targeted Rahul Gandhi, calling Afridi a "Hindu-hater". "Why do India's enemies stand by Rahul Gandhi? Why did Afridi compare India's Pakistan policy to Israel-Gaza policy and praise Rahul Gandhi?" Malviya asked.
Congress's reaction
There is no official reaction from the Congress yet on Afridi's statement. However, some Congress leaders have responded to the BJP's criticism, claiming that it is an attempt to give it a political colour. A Congress leader wrote on X that "BJP always tries to use the statements of foreigners for political gain. Rahul Gandhi has always advocated the unity of India." Along with this, he hit back at the BJP by sharing a photo of Shahid Afridi and BJP MP Anurag Thakur together.
The confluence of cricket and politics
The handshake controversy in the Asia Cup match has once again blurred the line between cricket and politics. Afridi has previously made statements against India, criticizing the Indian government over the Kashmir issue and India's military operations. In May 2025, at a "Youm-e-Tashakkur" rally in Karachi, he supported the Pakistan Army by calling India's military action an "attack on civilians and mosques".
India had launched "Operation Sindoor" after the Pahalgam attack and attacked terrorist camps in Pakistan. On this, Afridi also called India "aggressors" and called the Pakistan Army "invincible". His statements had sparked a wave of anger in India. Now, once again, his statement has highlighted the tension between India and Pakistan.
From match to politics
The match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 has become a topic of political and social discussion, not just limited to sports. Even before the match, the demand to boycott the India-Pakistan match was gaining momentum on social media. The match was against the backdrop of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. India claims that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism was behind the attack. Against this backdrop, the Indian players refused to shake hands with the Pakistani players after the match. Indian team captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir clarified that this decision was taken to show solidarity with the families of the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
Afridi's controversial statement
During a discussion on Pakistan's Samaa TV, Shahid Afridi criticized the Indian government. He accused the Indian government of trying to stay in power by playing the Hindu-Muslim card. "This government's approach is very negative. They always use religious and Hindu-Muslim issues," Afridi said. On the other hand, he showered praise on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. "Rahul Gandhi's approach is positive. He prefers to walk together with everyone through dialogue. One Israel is enough, India should not try to become another Israel," he said. Afridi's statement has drawn strong reactions in India, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) calling it an attempt to interfere in India's internal politics.
BJP's counterattack
Replying to Afridi's statement, BJP national spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla launched a scathing attack on Congress and Rahul Gandhi. "All those who hate India find their friends in Rahul Gandhi and Congress. From Hafiz Saeed to Shahid Afridi, every anti-India person supports Rahul Gandhi. Congress is the Islamabad National Congress," Poonawalla wrote on X. He claimed to be an "old friend" between Congress and Pakistan, accusing the Congress of siding with Pakistan from the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya also targeted Rahul Gandhi, calling Afridi a "Hindu-hater". "Why do India's enemies stand by Rahul Gandhi? Why did Afridi compare India's Pakistan policy to Israel-Gaza policy and praise Rahul Gandhi?" Malviya asked.
Congress's reaction
There is no official reaction from the Congress yet on Afridi's statement. However, some Congress leaders have responded to the BJP's criticism, claiming that it is an attempt to give it a political colour. A Congress leader wrote on X that "BJP always tries to use the statements of foreigners for political gain. Rahul Gandhi has always advocated the unity of India." Along with this, he hit back at the BJP by sharing a photo of Shahid Afridi and BJP MP Anurag Thakur together.
The confluence of cricket and politics
The handshake controversy in the Asia Cup match has once again blurred the line between cricket and politics. Afridi has previously made statements against India, criticizing the Indian government over the Kashmir issue and India's military operations. In May 2025, at a "Youm-e-Tashakkur" rally in Karachi, he supported the Pakistan Army by calling India's military action an "attack on civilians and mosques".
India had launched "Operation Sindoor" after the Pahalgam attack and attacked terrorist camps in Pakistan. On this, Afridi also called India "aggressors" and called the Pakistan Army "invincible". His statements had sparked a wave of anger in India. Now, once again, his statement has highlighted the tension between India and Pakistan.
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