DHARAMSALA, March 4: Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, whose good looks and cavalier style has won him many female fans in his country, was mobbed by fair sex in this sleepy Indian holiday resort as well.

For about 30 minutes, Pakistani heart-throb had to endure mock chiding from his Indian female fans who had come to watch him at nets on Friday. Asked about all attention he had been attracting, Afridi said as long as his flamboyant batting brought crowds to stadiums, he did not bother about the rest.

"It doesn't matter. If you are good, you will get a good response, whether it is India or Australia or England. Obviously in Pakistan the culture is totally different but I don't mind," said Afridi who celebrated his 25th birthday very next day he arrived in India on Feb 28.

Afridi, however, said days of his rendezvous with young women were truly behind him. "I am married now and have two kids." Afridi has fond memories of his last tour of India in 1999 when His counter-attacking century laid the foundation for his team's win in Chennai.

"I have come here with a very positive frame of mind. So, Inshallah, if they give me a chance, I will take it. I will try to improve myself as well. "Chennai obviously is a great memory. Pakistan team was under pressure but we performed well and I performed at the right time too.

"That tour was also significant because my coach did not want me in the Test team at that time. But by God's grace he gave me a chance and I proved (myself)". -PPI

Opinion

Enter the deputy PM

Enter the deputy PM

Clearly, something has changed since for this step to have been taken and there are shifts in the balance of power within.

Editorial

All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...
Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...