The 21-year-old Indian youngster, Ripon Chaudhry, who was arrested by local police over wearing Pakistan team shirt while watching a local cricket tournament in Assam, says he wants to meet Shahid Afridi at-least once in his life.

The die-hard fan of Pakistani cricket star Shahid Afridi said this on Thursday during an exclusive interview to DawnNews.

Ripon Chowdhury, 21, was arrested on Sunday in Hailakandi, a small town in India's northeastern state of Assam, while watching a local cricket tournament after his shirt angered a Hindu nationalist group.

A complaint was filed against him by India's ruling Bhartia Janta Party (BJP)'s Youth Wing. He was detained for eight hours by the local police.

Chaudhry said that he is often called as Afridi in his village due to his aggressive batting style, that's why he wears a shirt that resembles Afridi's 10 number shirt.

The Afridi fan said he really wants to meet Boom Boom "at least once in his life". He hoped that his dream to meet Afridi will come true one day.

When contacted, Shahid Afridi thanked his Indian fan and said, "Pakistan and India always come closer by cricket".

We must encourage to play more and more cricket, he added.

Pakistani star cricketer said that whenever he gets a chance to meet Ripon he would love to do so.

He had earlier said that such acts would not deter the subcontinent's cricket-mad fans from supporting rival players.

Opinion

Editorial

After the deluge
Updated 16 Jun, 2024

After the deluge

There was a lack of mental fortitude in the loss against India while against US, the team lost all control and displayed a lack of cohesion and synergy.
Fugue state
16 Jun, 2024

Fugue state

WITH its founder in jail these days, it seems nearly impossible to figure out what the PTI actually wants. On one...
Sindh budget
16 Jun, 2024

Sindh budget

SINDH’S Rs3.06tr budget for the upcoming financial year is a combination of populist interventions, attempts to...
Slow start
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Slow start

Despite high attendance, the NA managed to pass only a single money bill during this period.
Sindh lawlessness
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Sindh lawlessness

A recently released report describes the law and order situation in Karachi as “worryingly poor”.
Punjab budget
15 Jun, 2024

Punjab budget

PUNJAB’S budget for 2024-25 provides much fodder to those who believe that the increased provincial share from the...