Pakistan cricket’s icon Shahid Khan Afridi has made the country proud more often than not through his blistering batting and leg spin wizardry. Afridi is not only adored by people of Pakistan, he also has a huge fan base in neighbouring India too, and after Saturday’s interaction with an Indian fan, his popularity graph has risen dramatically in the rival country.
During a brief meet and greet with fans on sidelines of Ice Cricket 2018, Afridi can be seen asking an Indian fan to hold her country flag properly after she had folded it possibly out of fear that the Pakistani cricketing sweetheart might not snap a picture.
The video, and Afridi’s gesture, has been lauded in both the neighbouring and rival nations.
Probably the best thing you'd see on twitter today. Shahid Afridi asks an Indian fan to straighten out her Indian flag while posing for a photo in #Switzerland: pic.twitter.com/lDjklDvY60
— Naila Inayat (@nailainayat) February 10, 2018
Indians react to Afridi’s gesture
Unsurprisingly, Indians have reacted to Shahid Afridi’s friendly gesture and lauded the sports icon.
Indian Fangirl Folded The Indian Flag While Taking A Picture With Shahid Afridi Thinking He Might Get In Trouble. #ShahidAfridi Asks Her "Flag Seedha Karo". Thank You #Afridi, Lots Of Love From India. 🙏🇮🇳 #IceCricketChallenge #IceCricket #Pakistanhttps://t.co/zIZPnN4giL
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) February 10, 2018
Pakistani cricket legend, Shahid Afridi asks his Indian fan to unfold her flag and then poses happily for a photo with her. Little actions like these, bring the world closer and promote love and peace on the planet! Proud of you @SAfridiOfficial ❤️ 🇮🇳 🇵🇰 ✌️ 🌍 pic.twitter.com/kTGA3xk86D
— Harjinder Singh Kukreja (@SinghLions) February 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/ashishcdalal/status/962343282977267712
Pakistani’s react to Afridi’s gesture
Pakistanis have also appreciated Shahid Afridi for promoting a positive image of the country and for acting as a true representative of a peaceful mindset.
Shahid Afridi showing lots of neighbourly love pic.twitter.com/HfxA6eyEuz
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) February 10, 2018
Watch it again and again Respect Lala❤💖💙
— M ZUBAIR KHAN💚🇵🇰 (@zubairkhan6574) February 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/imtiazsyed007/status/962539628363440128