'Positive Mindset': Former Pakistan Cricketer Shahid Afridi Praises Rahul Gandhi – News18

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while bashing the BJP-led central government for playing the “religion" card.
“This government (In India) always plays the religion and Muslim-Hindu card to stay in power. This is a very bad mindset. Rahul Gandhi has a very positive mindset. He believes in dialogue. Is one Israel not enough that you are trying to become another?" Afridi said in a chat with Pakistan’s  Samma TV during a panel discussion on the India-Pakistan match.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala was quick to react to Afridi’s comments and said everyone who hates India finds an ally in Rahul Gandhi and Congress.
“After Hafiz Saeed, now Shahid Afridi ( Terror apologist & India hater ) praises Rahul Gandhi… Not surprised! Everyone who hates India finds an ally in Rahul Gandhi & Congress From Soros to Shahid …INC = Islamabad National Congress," he wrote on X.
The BJP leader said the Congress-Pakistan “yaarana" (friendship) is very old, and the grand old party always echoes Pakistan’s narrative from the abrogation of Article 370 to a clean chit on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Pulwama and Pahalgam.
After Hafiz Saeed now Shahid Afridi ( Terror apologist & India hater ) praises Rahul Gandhi… Not surprised! Everyone who hates India finds an ally in Rahul Gandhi & CongressFrom Soros to Shahid …
INC = Islamabad National Congress
Cong Pak Yaarana is very oldArt 370 to… pic.twitter.com/Od5W7gDcFH
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) September 16, 2025
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya said enemies of India are cheering for Rahul Gandhi and Indians know exactly where his loyalties lie.
Rabid Hindu-hater Shahid Afridi, who never misses a chance to spew venom against India and dream of Kashmir joining Pakistan, is suddenly all praise for Rahul Gandhi.Afridi says Rahul wants “dialogue" with Pakistan, while attacking PM Modi by comparing India’s policy on… pic.twitter.com/glxcMJrTtK
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 16, 2025
India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the group stage match of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday.
The match drew heavy criticism from the Indians, who questioned the game against Pakistan, just four months after Pakistani terrorists killed 26 people, mostly Hindus, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
The opposition parties have also lashed out at the BJP-led government for allowing BCCI to go ahead with the match.
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However, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the government, saying it was not a bilateral game between India and Pakistan.
“If India does not play in the Asia Cup, then India will be out. The Olympics and the Asia Cup are not for Pakistan; it is for the whole world… If we do not go to the Olympics because of our enmity with a country, who will suffer the loss? So, this has to be understood. The sentiment is right, but there should be rational thinking behind the sentiment," he said.
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