News Desk |
Pakistan former skipper and star all-rounder Shahid Afridi has recently released his autobiography titled ‘Game Changer’. Undoubtedly, the book is enriched with intriguing and surprising revelations and confessions from the legendary cricketer.
Afridi has unapologetically penned down his thoughts about both local and international players in his book. A few interesting excerpts from the book are even making rounds on social media. Afridi, however, unrestrained pointed at the attitude problem of Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who has now joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, in his book.
Some rivalries were personal, some professional. First the curious case of Gambhir. Oh, poor Gautam. He & his attitude problem. He has no personality. He who is barely a character in the great scheme of cricket. He who has no great records just a lot of attitude.”
‘Gambhir behaves like he’s a cross between Don Bradman and James Bond,’ Afridi commented.
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“In Karachi, we call guys like him saryal (burnt up). It’s simple, I like happy, positive people. Doesn’t matter if they are aggressive or competitive, but you have to be positive & Gambhir wasn’t”, wrote Afridi about in his book.
He also mentioned the brawl that held on-field between Shahid Afridi and Gautam Gambhir in 2007. Afridi stated: “The umpires had to finish it off or I would have. Clearly, we had a frank bilateral discussion about each other’s female relatives”.
Shahid Afridi also loathed about his unpleasant experience with legendary cricketer Javed Miandad during India’s visit in 1999.
He wrote that during that trip Miandad wanted to drop Afridi from the test squad since he did not like his batting style and technique. He only made his comeback in the team after being backed by Wasim Akram and chief selector.
“The stage was set for a disaster. Javed Bhai was relentless. And that’s how the day before the Chennai match, he did something I consider highly unethical and unprofessional by not letting me bat at the nets. Bear in mind that I was the opener.”
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“But Javed bhai’s attitude towards me touched a new low. Before the post-match presentation ceremony, he pulled me aside and said, ‘Listen, buddy, you’d better make sure you thank me in the presentation and interview. Tell them how I’ve groomed you and made you a good batsman. Understood?’
Pakistan had won that match, and Afridi had scored a century in that match.
“That day I lost all my respect for Javed Miandad, supposedly one of the greats of the game but in reality, a small man.”