Mohali: In a yet another controversial remark, Pakistan Cricket team captain Shahid Afridi before the start of their World T20 game against New Zealand at PCA Stadium Mohali, said that "a lot of people are here from Kashmir".
Pakistan came into the match after suffering a defeat to arch-rival India in their previous group game in Kolkata.
As a section of the crowd cheered him at the toss, former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja asked if he and his team had support from the spectators here, Afridi said that "a lot of people are here from Kashmir".
"Yes, a lot of people, a lot of people are here from Kashmir as well. And I want to thank people of Kolkata, they really support us as well," Afridi said at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium just before the start of the Pakistan versus New Zealand group match.
"It seems you have a bit of fan following here in Mohali," Raja remarked after Afridi lost the toss.
Opting to bat after the coin landed in skipper Kane Williamson's favour, New Zealand rode on Guptill's knock to notch up a formidable 180 for five in the stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, Pakistan were restricted to 158 for five, further dampening their prospects of securing a last-four berth in the mega-event.
Afridi had found himself in the centre of a controversy a few days back when he stated that the Pakistani cricket team got more love in India than in Pakistan. The statement led to Afridi's criticism in Pakistan, especially from former cricketers like Javed Miandad and Mohsin Khan.
(With PTI inputs)
