Shahid Afridi bats for Taliban, says group has 'positive mind', will like cricket

Pakistani cricket veteran Shahid Afridi has been prone to bloopers for ages. Be it his frequent 'retirements' from international cricket or comments on India, Afridi has given fodder for media often.

On Monday, Shahid Afridi told mediapersons in Karachi the Taliban regime in Afghanistan supports cricket. There have been concerns in recent weeks that the advent of the Taliban would hamper the development of sports such as cricket, which have flourished in recent years in Afghanistan. In its earlier stint in power, the Taliban had banned sports activities.

Afridi was quoted as telling mediapersons, "Taliban have come with a very positive mind. They're allowing ladies to work. And I believe Taliban like cricket a lot."

Not surprisingly, Afridi was panned on social media for his endorsement of the Taliban. In particular his reference to the group allowing women to work has been criticised given regular reports suggesting women in Afghanistan are in fear again.

Afridi also told mediapersons he may finally end his career as a domestic T20 player in Pakistan with the next Pakistan Super League. Afridi was quoted by reports as saying, "The next PSL may be my last PSL and if I get the permission from Multan Sultans to leave then it is my wish that if Quetta Gladiators owners allow it, I would like to play my last season with Quetta."

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi tweeted Afridi had got a brain fade. Singhvi tweeted, "Yes, Taliban brings the same positivity to mind that the captain got whenever Afridi came out to bat in the middle. He hoped for a miracle but got a brain fade 9 times out of 10."