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Afridi’s reaction came after Afghanistan pulled out of the tri-series in Pakistan following an attack in their country which killed three cricketers.

Shahid Afridi slams Afghanistan. (Picture Credit: AFP, PTI)
Former Pakistan men’s cricket team captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi has slammed Afghanistan and accused them of forgetting Pakistan’s favours. Afridi’s reaction came after Afghanistan opted out of the tri-series in Pakistan following an attack in the country that killed three domestic cricketers.
While speaking to local reporters in Pakistan, Afridi, who played more than 500 matches for Pakistan across formats from 1996 to 2015, said that he didn’t expect the neighbour country to behave like how they did.
“I did not expect it to be like this. For the past 50–60 years, we have been taking care of them. I personally look after nearly 350 Afghan families in Karachi,” Afridi told Pakistani media.
“I believe that both are neighbouring countries, and our message has always been to the people of Afghanistan that both sides should cooperate because we are Muslim countries,” he said.
He also urged the Afghanistani leaders to prevent outsiders from exploiting their land against Pakistan.
“It is regrettable that instead of sitting down and discussing things directly, you went and shook hands with those who have been involved in terrorism inside Pakistan for a long time. We have always welcomed you and provided you a place, and people have lived, worked, and done business here. It is unfortunate that you went and shook hands with those who are carrying out terrorism inside our country.”
Zimbabwe to replace Afghanistan
The Pakistan Cricket Board on October 18 announced that Zimbabwe will replace Afghanistan in the tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka, in November, after the latter withdrew following an airstrike by Pakistan in the Paktika province.
The series involving Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka was scheduled to be played between November 17-29.
“Zimbabwe Cricket has accepted the Pakistan Cricket Board’s invitation to participate in a T20I tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka, to be staged in Rawalpindi and Lahore from 17 to 29 November,” the PCB said in a statement.
“The maiden tri-series on Pakistan soil has been scheduled to provide all three sides with preparation ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka,” the statement added.
October 20, 2025, 09:13 IST
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