Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has once again made headlines—this time for a cheeky social media post aimed at former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan. Afridi posted a picture of himself wearing a military-style top while holding a cup of tea, with a tongue-in-cheek caption that elicited strong reactions on the other side of the border.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Afridi posted his photo with the caption:
“Forget winning or losing, Shikhar! Come, Why not take a break and share a cup of tea with me—my treat, of course!”
This was a clever reply to Shikhar Dhawan’s previous tweet regarding the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.
Indian Fans React with Anger
Afridi’s sarcastic remark didn’t go down well with a lot of Indian users, who overwhelmed the post with rude and abusive comments. Yet, a number of social media users from across the globe rallied behind Afridi, denouncing the vile backlash and calling for civility in cross-border sports debates.
Dhawan’s Reply Ignites the Brawl
The day before, Shikhar Dhawan had posted a pointed message to Afridi, writing:
“We beat you in Kargil too. How low will you go? We’re proud of our army.”
This was the reply to Afridi’s recent statement on the Indian Army’s failure during the Pahalgam mishap in Indian-occupied Kashmir. Afridi had mocked the Indian security forces, saying:
“Even if a firecracker explodes, Pakistan gets blamed. With 800,000 troops in Kashmir, such things occur—proves you’re incapable and can’t even guard your own people.”
Afridi Criticizes Double Standards in Sports Diplomacy
Shahid Afridi also pointed out India’s double standards when it comes to sports diplomacy with Pakistan. He reflected on the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup and commented:
“Even with tense political ties, our team still went to India to compete. We ourselves weren’t even certain whether we should travel.”
He also added:
“India has no issue sending its kabaddi team to Pakistan, but when it comes to cricket, they back out. If you wish to sever relations, then discontinue all sporting and cultural exchanges—not cricket alone.”
Final Thoughts
This latest exchange between Shahid Afridi and Shikhar Dhawan highlights the continued tension in Indo-Pak relations, not just politically but also within the sports arena. While Afridi’s post may have been made in jest, it triggered strong emotions across borders—reminding us that humor and nationalism are a tricky mix in today’s polarized digital age.
