Well after getting a clarification from Afridi and getting into the core of Goutam Gambhir statement that dedicated the World Cup Win to Mumbai attack victims, it appears to me that Afridi’s comment about lion heart is not totally uncalled for and a bit justified as an after reaction from the already hurt Pakistani sentiment caused by the defeat at world cup One should also read into the Afridi’s statement that ‘Why India and Pakistan are taken as enemies while playing world cup (or any sports contest as a matter of fact).’ Such an atmosphere by the media and people in general can severely affect the performance of either or any one team from time to time. Hype like a ‘Final before Final’ (the semifinal between India and Pak) damages the attempt to improve relations between the two countries.
Yes Mr. Afridi, you are definitely lion hearted when you say why India and Pakistan are taken as enemies! Congratulations!
The mistake Afridi seemed to make is by mentioning ‘Indians’ instead of ‘Gambhir.’
He should have said, “Goutam Gambhir is childish” or Goutam Gambhir is not lion hearted like Pakistani players.”
And Mr.Gambhir! How many cups would you dedicate to the martyr of terrorist attacks? There are plenty of departed souls from attacks within. Are Maoist or Naxalites giving sermons to departed souls or are they departing souls? The sum total of martyrs by internal terrorists may be 100 times more than Mumbai attack causalities. Would you earn 100 cups in your life time and cope up with never ending stream of internal terrorist casualties.
Non-sense! That was a cheap statement by Gambhir and of course with political overtones. And Mr. Afridi, don’t make a retaliatory cheap statement. Your retaliation was a colossal mistake. This does not take you to any heights except fuelling fanatics-the super nationalists- across both sides of the boarders.
Pakistanis! Forget Goutam Gambhir, remember Sunil Gavaskar! He was the one lion hearted Indian who encouraged Pakistan team from day one of the WC tournament of 1992 which eventually ended in a Pak win. Even Pakistanis felicitated Sunil for his univocal support. And SUNIL a big thank you from me.