Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi lashed out at fans at Karachi airport after his three-year-old daughter was hurt in a crush of autograph hunters, eye-witnesses and television reports said Friday. The 32-year-old former captain lost his temper and hit fans who had descended on the airport to greet members of the Asia Cup winning national side, apparently after his daughter Ajwa was hurt.
“Afridi’s reaction was natural as dozens of fans circled him and hurt his daughter. I still love him and he is just like my brother,” fan Gul Rehman, who was hit several times by the allrounder, later told media. Television footage showed Afridi, wearing an orange t-shirt and jeans, striking Rehman and other fans. Afridi later said he did not want to hurt anyone but lost his temper. “There was no security for players and it’s usual that fans come and seek autographs but this time they were out of control and hurt my daughter on which I lost my temper,” Afridi told reporters. Afridi and teammates Younis Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Hafeez returned home late Friday after Pakistan’s two-run win against Bangladesh on Thursday which earned Pakistan its second Asia Cup title. Afridi was declared man-of-the-match for his fiery 32 in Pakistan’s 236 and took one wicket in Bangladesh’s innings. Captain Misbah-ul Haq and other players were due to return Lahore early Saturday.
