The ugly verbal spat between Javed Miandad and Shahid Afridi over the latter’s farewell match has taken a turn for the worse with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim jumping into the fray.
Dawood, whose daughter is married to Miandad’s son, has issued a death threat to Afridi, according to a report by Joshua Arpit Nath in Indiatimes.
The whole controversy erupted after Afridi expressed his desire to play a farewell match before calling time on his international career and Miandad stated, "Afridi wants a farewell match only for the money”.
Not one to hold back, Afridi who currently plays for Pakistan in T20s, immediately went on the offensive against Miandad. He said, "Javed Miandad has been thinking about money all his life and he still is. A cricketer of his stature should not do such cheap talks. This was the difference between Imran Khan and Miandad."
The war of words continued with Miandad retorting, "I would want Shahid Afridi to swear by his children and say that he has not fixed matches for Pakistan and has not sold Pakistan. I am a witness, I have caught him. I had caught the entire team. These people are fixers and they are talking about money."
"One doesn't get respect like anything. It is because of Allah that one gets respect. They are son of thieves, have fixed matches, I can also get evidence against them," he added.
In a series of tweets, Afridi said Miandad is a legend but he has made personal attacks against him for a long time and also questioned whether he has taken back the allegations.
Javed Miandad is legend of cricket but he used very harsh words on TV for long time. He made personal attack on me for no reason1/2
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 9, 2016
I tolerated for long time but every person has a limit, sad that Javed Miandad was making personal attacks for long time2/2
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 9, 2016
I regret what I said to a senior but of course I had to eventually react to his behaviour.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 9, 2016
Javed Bhai has pardoned me? Thanks, But has he withdrawn his allegations, what has he got to say to that?
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 11, 2016
His allegations caused pain & grief to me my family and my fans, is he retracting from his actual allegation?
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 11, 2016
I consider him an elder and hope he'll take back his actual words
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 11, 2016
Else I'll have to seek answer and justice to clear my reputation in court
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 11, 2016
Nothing matters more to me then playing for my country with pride, no one can accuse me of selling my country
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 11, 2016
Meanwhile, Miandad responded saying he had pardoned Afridi.
When i said i forgive its a clear statement no further clarification required, #Miandad lives in heart of Nation
— Javed Miandad (@ItsJavedMiandad) October 11, 2016
Thanks for all those cricket lovers who appreciate me for my stance, my forgiveness is not result of pressure it's #Muharram
— Javed Miandad (@ItsJavedMiandad) October 11, 2016