“I have enjoyed my cricket in India and I love Indian people. Don't take my comments negatively. I have always got a lot of love and affection from Indian fans. And I request the media to play a more positive role and not waste time on such trivial issues.”

A close aide of Afridi said that, “Whatever Shahid said about Indo-Pak relations was after he was asked about the statement made by Gautam Gambhir that the World Cup victory is dedicated to the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks.

“Watch the show again. It is clear Shahid was speaking in general terms when he was reminded that while he had said on returning home that Pakistanis should not treat India like a enemy, Gambhir had talked politics and tried to play up anti-Pakistan sentiments.”

Afridi’s aide said while he spoke positively about India, the players across the border were doing the opposite about Pakistan. “That is when he made the remarks about Indians not being big hearted like Pakistanis.”

In Afridi’s defence

It was on Gautam

Whatever Shahid said about Indo-Pak relations was after he was asked about the statement made by Gautam Gambhir that the World Cup victory is dedicated to the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks.

Misquoted

While Afridi spoke positively about India, the players across the border were doing the opposite about Pakistan. That is when he made the remarks about Indians not being big-hearted like Pakistanis.

Media hype

In Afridi’s words, "I have been quoted out of context. I request the media to play a more positive role and not waste time on such trivial issues. Sometimes you say something and it is interpreted the other way. Indian media is very negative about Pakistan."