The Lahore High Court (LHC) has been moved against Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi for ‘more love in India than Pakistan’ comment.
Advocate Azhar Siddique filed a plea in LHC stating that Shahid Afridi’s comment hurt the sentiments of Pakistan fans.
LHC has been urged to get an explanation from Afridi within 15 days.
Earlier, Pakistanis on social media websites bashed Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi after his recent press conference in Kolkata in which he stated that “we are more loved in India than in Pakistan.”
India switched the venue for the March 19 showdown from the northern hill station of Dharamsala to Kolkata after Pakistan’s concerns over threats from Hindu extremists and warnings of street protests.
Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Afridi brushed off concerns over security for his team at the World T20, saying he was looking forward to playing in front of India’s raucous crowds.
Despite being confident of his team’s chances, Afridi said India were playing “very good cricket” at the moment and would be tough to beat in front of their home crowds.
Read more: Afridi, Malik play down focus on security
“We have always enjoyed playing in India and have been loved by Indian crowds more than crowds back home in Pakistan. We are cricketers and not politicians,” he added.
The statements sparked unease among the cricket lovers in Pakistan who took to Twitter and criticized Afridi.
On the other hand, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in their warm-up game today (Monday) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata ahead of the start of the main stage of ICC World T20. The match will start at 2:30 pm PST.
Earlier, Pakistani cricket team landed at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Saturday evening and on Sunday morning they participated in a training session at the Eden Gardens amid tight security.
Pakistani players are due to face Bangladesh in Super 10 Group 2 on March 16 and India on March 19.
The other two group matches will be played at Mohali. Pakistan will play against New Zealand on March 22 and against Australia on March 25.
Also read: Wasim Akram lashes out at ‘below the belt’ criticism of Afridi