If we're going to start scrutinizing statements made by sportsmen,then there are far too many examples of others who have said more unappropriate things.I didn't hear of this statement from Afridi since i wasn't on the forums or watching too much of TV for last 1-2 days.The statement itself is stupid.No one can deny that.I love Afridi,but this statement was wrong.But judging him on this statement alone is wrong.
I don't think he was under any political pressure to say something like this.It was just a spur of the moment thing.He's a blunt man,not the most politically correct,and sometimes he will say things that will piss off a lot of people.This is one of those things.I don't think it was planned malice from his side,nor is he bitter over the loss,since you don't expect someone to say positive things and then do a complete u-turn in a few days time.It was a moment of sheer stupidity.The text has been translated in English,so it's also possible that the actual quote in Urdu would have had a different context.Either way,it's a silly comment and one that he should not have made.
Defending him is wrong,but attacking him is not entirely right either.There is a lot that goes into a person's mentality,and the comment made by Afridi reeks of a biased educational system,a biased media etc.These things happen on both sides of the border,but the Indian Players know how to handle the media better than the Pakistanis,which leads to comments such as the ones made by Afridi and even Shoaib Malik.Silly stuff happens on both sides of the border,Quran burning in India,Hindi bashing in Pakistan,but that does not in any way reflect the entire mood of a nation.I believe the middle and lower class in both countries has the same set of values,the same feelings towards the neighbor.The difference arises at the top where our people fail to handle the media as well as their Indian counterparts.This isn't limited to sportsmen alone,but any public figure.The Indians have learned to handle the media well as a result of the stronger educational system.We on the other hand,have not been able to do so since our educational system is poor.
Condemn Afridi's statement.That is justified.But do not judge him on the statement.