After receiving backlash on social media for congratulating Shehbaz Sharif, Shahid Afridi clarifies his stand

Pakistan’s former star cricketer Shahid Afridi shared a video on his YouTube channel in which he clarified why he congratulated Shehbaz Sharif after he became the prime minister. He also revealed what he thinks of former prime minister Imran Khan.

The star cricketer shared the video after he received severe backlash on social media for Shehbaz Sharif. 

Commenting on his long association with Imran Khan, Afridi said, "Imran Khan has always been my idol in cricket. He is the reason why my cricket journey started. I don't know where I would have been, had he not been there. We played together in the 1992 World Cup. I have always praised all the good work he had done. I believe his government did a good job in the healthcare sector. I also believe that a government should get five years to work."

Afridi also said that, though he has always looked up to Khan as a leader, it is his prerogative to have a difference of opinion. 

"I have always seen him as a leader. I have the right to disagree with his policies. Differences of opinion should not be converted into hate," Shahid Afridi said.

In the video, he also stated that he had a notion that his congratulating Shehbaz Sharif would be criticized. He clarified that extending his greeting to the current PM had no political reasons.

 "If we want our country to be respected in the world, we need to respect our government in power. Then only we can expect other countries to respect the government," he said.