‘You've obviously gone crazy but world knows what Pakistan is': Boxer Bidhuri's reply to Afridi
New Delhi: World championship medallist pugilist Gaurav Bidhuri gave a fiery reply to former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi, whose comments on the Pahalgam terrorist attack have left many Indians infuriated.
After the attack, in which 28 civilians tragically lost their lives, Afridi appeared on Pakistani television and blamed India's security forces, questioning their efficiency while also throwing negative light on India's sportsmanship.
Bidhuri, who won a bronze medal at the 2017 World Boxing Championships in Germany, defended the Indian forces and drew comparison between the state of sporting affairs in both countries while taking the example of the Indian Premier League and Pakistan Super League.
'The entire country is still in shock over the attacks in Pahalgam and the steps taken by the Indian government have driven Pakistanis crazy. The interview by Shahid Afridi in which he talked about how 8 Lakh Indian soldiers could not do anything to stop the attacked, I would like to remind you that in 1971, 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered to our army so please don't try to teach us about capability.
"When asking for proof, why should we prove anything to you. The entire world knows that Pakistan is supporting terrorist organisations. The proxy group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba 'The Resistance Front' has claimed responsibility for the attack.
'You were talking about sports diplomacy, so I would like to point out how recently Neeraj Chopra himself invited your Olympic champion Nadeem, so don't talk to us about sportsmanship. You have your PSL; we have IPL. Please see where the world is playing; you talked about how you received threats in India. Please realise the world is playing here while no one is coming there. You've obviously gone crazy, but the world knows what Pakistan is,' Bidhuri told IANS.
The terrorist attack in Pahalgam has been one of the deadliest in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama incident. The attack triggered global condemnation, and India has pointed towards Pakistan-backed terror outfits being responsible.
Speaking to Samaa TV, Afridi said, "Tum logon ki 8 lakh hi fauj hai Kashmir mein aur yeh ho gaya. Iska matlab nalayak ho, nikamme ho na tum log security de nahi sake logon ko (You have an 800,000-strong army in Kashmir and this still happened. It means you are inefficient and useless if you can't provide security to the people)."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
13 minutes ago
- Hans India
Piyush Goyal begins Sweden visit to identify new opportunities for trade growth
New Delhi: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday began his official visit to Sweden, aimed at reinforcing the existing robust economic relationship and identifying new opportunities for growth which are aligned with India's long-term economic objectives and global partnerships. The Union Minister's Sweden visit comes after a successful two-day official visit to Switzerland, which focused on advancing India–Switzerland economic cooperation and operationalising the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) signed earlier this year between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). In the second leg of the official tour, the minister will co-chair the 21st Session of the Indo-Swedish Joint Commission for Economic, Industrial, and Scientific Cooperation (JCEISC) with Benjamin Dousa, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade. Goyal is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Dousa and Hakan Jevrell, State Secretary to the Minister of Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade. These deliberations are aimed at reinforcing the existing robust economic relationship and identifying new opportunities for growth, aligning with India's long-term economic objectives and global partnerships, according to a statement from the Commerce Ministry. During the visit, key engagements will involve an India-Sweden Business Leaders' roundtable and one-on-one meetings with leading Swedish companies. These discussions will cover a wide range of industries where Sweden excels, including advanced manufacturing, innovation, green technologies, and sustainable solutions. Companies like Ericsson, Volvo Group, IKEA, Sandvik, Alfa Laval, and SAAB are among those with a significant presence or interest in enhancing ties with India. Minister Goyal will also engage with the Indian diaspora and address media interactions, further strengthening the people-to-people connections and communicating the vision for the India-Sweden partnership. According to the official statement, the visit reflects the deepening alignment of strategic priorities between India and its European partners, aiming to translate high-level commitments into sustainable economic partnerships that foster innovation, resilience, and shared growth. Earlier, the Minister engaged extensively with Swiss industry leaders across sectors, including biotech and pharma, healthcare, precision engineering, defence, and emerging technologies. As India charts its journey toward becoming a $5 trillion economy, this visit has set the tone for accelerated collaboration with innovation-driven, trusted partners like Switzerland, said the ministry.
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
From India to Lord's! India bowling legend plays a role in WTC Final
Pat Cummins and Temba Bavuma (ICC Photo) NEW DELHI: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bowl first against Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's on Wednesday. With overcast skies looming over London, the conditions looked ideal for South Africa's pace attack to make early inroads. Australia, however, also bring a formidable pace battery into the contest. One of the notable developments for the reigning champions is Marnus Labuschagne stepping into the role of opener for the first time in his Test career. "We'll have a bowl first," said Bavuma at the toss. "The surface looks a good one, with solid overhead conditions. "I'm happy. It's too late now for anything else. We've selected the best team for the conditions." Reflecting on the occasion, he added: "It's (a) massive (occasion). I think all of us have some sort of allegiance to Lord's. It should be a spectacle of a game." Australia skipper Pat Cummins remained unfazed by the conditions and was content with his side batting first. "There's a few clouds but that's not unusual for England," he said. "It's dry and might turn later in the match. "I don't think there's any extra pressure (as defending champions). We've been here before and won it. This week is about enjoying it." Indian bowling legend Javagal Srinath officiated the high-stakes clash as the match referee. Both teams confirmed their playing XIs a day earlier. For Australia, all-rounder Beau Webster retains his spot at number six, while the experienced Josh Hazlewood has been selected ahead of Scott Boland in the pace department. South Africa have slotted all-rounder Wiaan Mulder at number three, and opted for Lungi Ngidi over Dane Paterson — despite Paterson's recent county stint with Middlesex giving him local experience. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada returns to the Test fold, playing his first match since serving a one-month ban earlier this year following a positive test for cocaine. South Africa are chasing their first major ICC trophy since clinching the Knockout (now known as the Champions Trophy) in 1998. In contrast, Australia, the current top-ranked side and 2023 WTC champions, have a rich history of success in white-ball tournaments. TEAMS AUSTRALIA : Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wkt), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood SOUTH AFRICA : Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (capt), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi UMPIRES : Chris Gaffaney (NZL), Richard Illingworth (ENG) TV UMPIRE : Richard Kettleborough (ENG) MATCH REFEREE : Javagal Srinath (IND)
The Hindu
17 minutes ago
- The Hindu
U.S. reaffirms strong support to India in fight against terrorism: State Department
The U.S. reaffirmed its strong support for India's fight against terrorism and the bilateral strategic partnership during the visit of an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation last week, the State Department said. The multi-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau last week in Washington. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a press briefing on Tuesday (June 10, 2025) that Mr. Landau reaffirmed the U.S.' strong support to India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries. The delegation visited the U.S. as part of the government's global outreach efforts after Operation Sindoor. India launched the operation in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Responding to a question, Ms. Bruce said that a Pakistani parliamentary delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met officials of the State Department, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, during its visit to Washington last week. Ms. Hooker reiterated the U.S. support for the ongoing cessation of on-ground hostilities, '— as you might imagine, thank God — between India and Pakistan', Ms. Bruce said, adding that they also discussed important issues about the U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship, including counterterrorism cooperation. 'So that meeting occurred.' When asked if the U.S. received any assurance from Pakistan that it will take action against terrorists, Ms. Bruce said she was not going to discuss the details of those conversations. In response to a question on President Donald Trump offering to 'mediate' on the issue of Kashmir, Ms. Bruce said, 'Well, I — obviously, I can't speak to what's on the mind or the plans of the President. What I do know is that I think we all recognise that President Trump in each step that he takes, it's made to solve generational differences between countries, generational war." Ms. Bruce added that it should not "surprise" anyone that he would want to "manage" something like that. 'So, while I can't speak to his plans, the world knows his nature, and I can't speak to any details of what he might have in that regard…But it is an exciting time that if we can get to a point in that particular conflict..," Ms. Bruce said adding that it is a "very interesting time'. India has rejected any mediation related to the dispute on Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan and maintains that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are and will always remain an "integral" part of the country.
